Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie (1835 - 1919) immigrated to the United States from Scotland in 1848. At the age of 13, he began to work as a bobbin boy in a cotton factory, earning $1.20 a week. Being a voracious reader, he took advantage of a townsman who opened his library to local working boys. Books provided most of his education.

The next year, he found a job as a telegraph messenger at Western Union. Then he took a job at the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1853. He worked as the assistant and telegrapher to Thomas Scott, one of the railroad¡¯s top officials. Through this experience, he learned a lot about the railroad industry and about business in general. Three years later, he was promoted to superintendent.

Carnegie began making investments. He made many wise choices and his investments in oil brought in substantial returns. He left the railroad in 1865 to focus on his other business interests, including the Keystone Bridge Company.

His business, known as the Carnegie Steel Company, revolutionized steel production, making manufacturing steel easier, faster and more productive. By 1889, Carnegie Steel Corporation was the largest of its kind in the world.

In 1901, Carnegie made a dramatic change in his life. He sold his business to the United States Steel Corporation, earning more than $200 million. At the age of 65, Carnegie decided to spend the rest of his life helping others.

Carnegie provided hundreds of church organs to local communities, established numerous colleges, schools, nonprofit organizations and associations. More than 2,800 libraries were opened with his support. By the time of his death in 1919, Carnegie had given away about $350 million.

Although he had little formal education, he knew the importance of books and learning.