Andrew Carnegie
1835-1919 · Scottish-American · Gilded Age
Known for: Steel magnate who gave away 90% of his fortune building libraries
Andrew Carnegie was a poor Scottish immigrant who worked in a cotton mill at age 13 and rose to become the richest man in the world. He dominated American steel through vertical integration and relentless efficiency. The Homestead Strike of 1892, where his manager Frick called in Pinkertons against strikers, remains a dark stain on his legacy.
His 'Gospel of Wealth' argued the rich must distribute surplus wealth for the public good. He built 2,509 libraries, funded Carnegie Hall and Carnegie Mellon, establishing the template for 'giving while living' that Gates and Buffett emulated.
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