The Life, Entrepreneurship, And Philanthropy Of Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie was a famous name during the modern American era. The great person had many titles over his lifetime – self-made tycoon of steel, richest 19th century, inspirational elocutionists, a well known philanthropist. His entire life was dedicated to the construction of his “American Dream”. Carnegie’s Autobiography takes us through his four different phases of life — his early years, his entrepreneurship, his political career and his donation enterprise. His paper, “The Gospel of Wealth”, also reveals to us his high-valued money. April showers bring flowers in May.

Poverty is the main reason for Carnegie’s difficult childhood in Scotland as well as in America. Andrew Carnegie was the son of a poor Dunfermline weaver family. In 1848, when Carnegie’s father was still a child, the invention and use of the weaving machines forced him to lose his job. His father, looking for more opportunities, moved his family to Pennsylvania during the early industrialization period in 1848. The US life was not an easy one. Carnegie’s Dad was employed at a small textile factory. Carnegie quit the job to launch a homemade linens business. Young Carnegie was forced to work in a cotton factory by the terrible conditions. Carnegie’s father died in 1855 at the age of 20. I can’t even imagine how difficult it was for him to lose a father in poverty at the age of 20. Carnegie was not ruined by poverty. In his autobiography Carnegie reveals that his mom inspired him in order to be able to walk down the right road. Andrew Carnegie’s remarkable mother had a profound effect on her young son’s life. Margaret Carnegie worked hard and was strong. When her husband’s weaving business failed, she used a cobbling skill that Andrew’s grandfather taught her in her early years. Margaret was extremely proud of her two sons. She refused the relatives’ suggestions for Andrew to earn money selling knickknacks. She screamed, “What? I would throw him into Allegheny River!” Andrew Carnegie was lucky to have a mother who knew what she was doing and also a talent-scout. Thomas A. Scott was the first person to hire Carnegie, starting in 1853. Thomas A. Scott was a genius who could be called by his colleagues. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company’s employment could have been crucial to his future success. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company was one of America’s first large businesses. Scott was a great teacher to Carnegie during this period. Carnegie and Scott parted company many years ago due to their unresolvable differences. Andrew Carnegie valued Mr Scott’s teachings. Andrew Carnegie, who was born in Scotland and immigrated to the United States as a poor man, achieved a complete counterattack. His biography shows that his success was due to three important factors: his good personality, his skills from the Second Industrial Revolution and his 19th century American background. The Scottish man was a strong learner, which helped him to progress in his various stages. At a young age, his learning abilities made him stand out amongst peers. At 13, Carnegie earned $1.20 a week in a factory that produced cotton. After he learned to control telegrams, he got a job in the telegraph industry. He became a telegrapher at age 18 to further his career. Mr. Colonel James Anderson built a free public library to encourage local youths to study.

Andrew Carnegie, in his early 20s, was quickly promoted. His education benefited greatly from reading. Tomas Scott was impressed by his diligence and learning capacity. Carnegie’s experience in working with Scott helped him gain a better understanding of railroads and the business. Andrew Carnegie built his huge steel empire on technology inventions of the Second Industrial Revolution. Carnegie’s life was filled with new industrial developments and knowledge. Carnegie built steel-making plants all over the United Stated using new technology and methods. He prepared the basic materials for building, the railroads and ships to transport goods, and the coal areas that were used to fuel steel furnaces. He was responsible for two of the greatest innovations in steel production. Time produces its heroes. Andrew Carnegie’s great success can be attributed to America’s special history in the 19th. Three historical titans– Andrew Carnegie(steel), John Davison Rockefeller(petroleum), John Pierpont Morgan(finance) built their legendary career almost at the same times. Carnegie and Rockefeller were the two who started from scratch. Following the end of a long Civil War, America had a lot to do.

Andrew Carnegie was a steel magnate who owned the largest integrated iron & steel operations in America. Second Industrial Revolution of the late 19th century gave Carnegie’s company new skills. Carnegie did not have an advanced education but he was able to use the skills from the Industrial Revolution to build bridges, skyscrapers and railroads in America. Andrew Carnegie’s autobiography contains a clear bias in comparison to the Digital Public Library of America, the primary source of information on the Homestead Strike. Carnegie, who was living in Scotland at the time of his autobiography’s publication, was unaware of violent issues. The Homestead Strike was a tragedy for him. “Nothing else I’ve ever met in my entire life, or have had to face since then, has hurt me as much.” He also blamed the workers, who were so eager to demand unrealistically higher salaries. I would never have agreed to such an unfair extortion had I not been at my home. Henry Frick shut down the Homestead mill and laid off many workers. The result was an official lockout. These statements are based on opposing viewpoints. The Digital Library may have more persuasive comments. Carnegie was a man of deep compassion for those who died in the Homestead Strike. It is my opinion that Henry Frick could not have recruited scabs for the Homestead Strike without Carnegie’s help. Everyone is not a saint.

Andrew Carnegie can be a generous and even cruel employer at times, yet a powerful philanthropist as he ages. Andrew Carnegie stated in his book “Gospel of Wealth”, that it would be a shame to die rich. For Carnegie, the gospel wealth is the new class’s duty to charity. Carnegie argued that redistribution was the best way to reduce wealth inequality. Carnegie said that the wealthy owed it to the nation to take care of its poor. But he did not advocate donating money to poor people. Carnegie believed instead that the rich should provide knowledge and resources to the poor so they can find opportunities for themselves. Andrew Carnegie, in fact, did exactly what he preached. After 1901, Carnegie’s generosity and philanthropic efforts began to be emphasized. Through his philanthropic endeavors, Carnegie was able to create public libraries in many English-speaking counties, including the United States and Britain.

Andrew Carnegie died in Lenox in Massachusetts in 1919. His autobiography appeared in 1920. The issue of how to judge the steel magnate’s legacy has been debated for many years. Some praise his achievement of creating an empire out of nothing, while others criticize his alleged exploitation of his workers and partners. Whoever you are, there is no doubt that this controversial figure has dedicated his life to elevating the United States into a society of high standards in the modern era.

Author

  • luketaylor

    Luke Taylor is an educational blogger and professor who uses his blog to share his insights on educational issues. He has written extensively on topics such as online learning, assessment, and student engagement. He has also been a guest speaker on various college campuses.

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