Andrew Carnegie: Wealthiest Men Of The 19th Century

Andrew Carnegie was one of the wealthiest men of the 19th century. Born in Scotland and migrated to the United states, Carnegie was a true self made businessman. After coming to the States Carnegie got a job working for $1.20 a week, and from there he went on to create Carnegie Steel Corporation and making millions. Andrew Carnegie grew up in a family that believed in self learning so Carnegie new the importance of knowledge from a young age. This helped drive him to pursue his dreams and make money.

Andrew Carnegie migrated to the USA in 1848 with his family, he was 13 at the time. Shortly after settling in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Carnegie went to work at a factory making $1.20 a week. After a year in the factory he found a job as a telegraph messenger and by 1851, Carnegie was a telegraph operator.
Carnegie wanted to focus on helping others to learn and advance themselves. He had earlier donated and helped build libraries, and after selling his company he expanded his efforts to building places for people to learn. In 1901 he donated about $5 million dollars to the New York Public Library, allowing them to open several new branches. He also open the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, now known as the Carnegie-Mellon University. Along with libraries and university's, Carnegie open a foundation for the advancement of teaching and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Andrew Carnegie was truly a self made Millionaire. Through hard work and smart investment Carnegie built one of the largest companies of the time and shaped the history of the United States. Carnegie not only amassed his wealth for his own benefit but used it to help others learn and advance themselves. With the help of Carnegie an estimated 2,800 libraries were opened. He was not only a businessman but a good person on top