Andrew Carnegie and His Biography

Introduction: "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall". Not history makes men but men like Andrew Carnegie makes history. "A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history". Same occur to Andrew who had firm determination, born in poor family, to lead 19th century becoming a renowned figure. He believes that "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past". He dreamt of well being future and materialized it with hard work. Andrew Carnegie is never extinguishing figure in the history of the United States.

Biography: Andrew Carnegie is one of the renowned figures of the 19th century. He made history, not history made him as Harry S. Truman said, "Study men, not historians". He was born in Dunfermline, Scotland but later on moved to the United States. None can touch his heights by dint of his industrialism, professionalism, scholar and activist, philosophy of life and publications. He was one of the highest philanthropists of the area and he published article in 1889 with the title "The Gospel of Wealth" which brought great wealth to the society improvement. He was born in the poor family but his migration to the United States had given him a better chance. He started as a telegrapher and ended as a renowned industrialist.

Early Life: Some people born later but do everything in better sense. Andrew Carnegie was one of those figures born in Dunfermline, Scotland in a cottage at November 25, 1835, containing single room. The only room served as living room, bedroom and dining room. His name was adopted at the name of his grandfather. He born in single room but made the best use of his times. "I do remember how it was to be poor. I do remember that in my early years, we had to grow and raise all of our food, even our animals. And I remember in my early life, we didn't even have electricity. So it was very, very hard times then", said Dolly Patron.

In 1836, his father, William Carnegie, moved to the larger house opposite Reid's Park in Edgar Street. George Lauder, his uncle, introduced him to the writings of Robert the Bruce, Robert Burns and William Wallace. His dad suffered from hard times, working as a handloom weaver, he moved to the Allegheny, Pennsylvania in 1848 for leading better life. For migration, Andrew's father had to borrow some money. His first job was at the age of 13 years as a bobbin boy and he worked in cotton factory for 12 hours, 6 days a week. The starting earning was only $1.20 per week but William Carnegie, the dad, tried hard to weave and peddling linens. "Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor." Also, his mother, Margaret Morrison Carnegie, stitched shoes to earn money.

Later on, he became a telegrapher in Ohio Telegraph Company at the rate of $2.50 per week. His journey rightly starts here. He got free admission of the theater as a benefit of the job. There he appreciated Shakespeare's pieces of work. He faced many men in the company and made various connections. Within a year, Andrew Carnegie was promoted and appointed as operator. He had special taste for learning and he was boosted up by the library of 400 volumes opened by Colonel James Anderson. He was intellectual, economically developed, culturally developed, willing to work hard, alert for upcoming events and perseverance for doing any task brought forth opportunities for him.

Railroads: In 1853, Andrew Carnegie was appointed as telegraph operator/ secretary in Pennsylvania Railroad Company by Thomas A Scott at $4 per week. This employment was vital for later success in his life. He believed that "In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure". He learned a lot here about cost control and management and Scott assisted him a lot. In 1855, Scott helped Carnegie to manage $500 to invest in Adam Express. He developed close relationship with J. Edgar Thomson, the president of Pennsylvania and got great success in shares from iron, rails and bridges with them. He got higher pay out by these shares. His success was coming by dint of his continuous struggle as he said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Andrew Carnegies' mother desired him not to get married. She died in 1866 and Carnegie got married with Louise Whitfield. She was 20 years junior to him but couple got only a daughter namely Margaret, got named at Carnegies' mother. Now, Carnegies started to take part in steel industry. His major aim was the production of steel at lower cost with efficiency. The price was automatically reduced and the steel was being adopted rapidly for bridges, buildings, girders and railway lines. This increased the production and income at the same level. They started to produce 2000 tons steel per day. By 1889, he owned a large part of the steel company and his empire started to grow steadily. Later on, Andrew Carnegie provided steel for bridge over Mississippi river, completed in 1874, gave marking opening to the steel market.

Industrialist: Andrew Carnegie was matchless industrialist as he found steel company. Reducing the cost and increasing the production, he created steel empire in next few decades. All of the profits were going in his ways and everything started to be manufactured of steel like factories, transportation and materials. His mission was to establish a new Carnegie Steel Company. Andrew played vital role in the union of the wage cuts protest and break down the locks of the wages. He guarded the plant to keep on working and strike was ended by dint of him. Later on, Morgan purchased steel mill from Carnegie in $480 million, making Carnegie the world richest person. He became famous personality of 19th century. Brian Tracy said, "All successful people men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose". We can also say that there is the law that successful people always make money but not the people who get money got famous. Such people bring success in all what they do.

Among 25 Richest People: When steel company was in full bloom, he sold it to Morgan in $480 million and took place among 25 richest people of the world. He was at number 4 at that time but later on, he purchased gold bonds from this money and took them to home, received 5% annual coupon. He placed those bonds in the bank in New Jersey and he got profit on them. In this way, he became number 2 in the richest people of those times. If you make assessment of the money, you will figure out that $480 will become $310 billion in the recent days. The worth of the dollars is increasing day by day. His value of income is matchless to consider now.

Partnership with Workers: He founded his companies not by wake of stock corporations but due to partnerships as we find in his philosophy line that "it shall be the rule for the workman to be Partner with Capital, the man of affairs giving his business experience, the working man in the mill his mechanical skills, to the company, both owners of the shares and so far equally interested in the success of their joint efforts". He had exceptional talent of the organizational management in his personality and he attracted young people towards him. His works made his steel company worth mentioning and valued at $400 million when sold out to Morgan in 1901. His success was hidden in his better relationships as George MacDonald said, "To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved". He became one of the richest persons of the United States after selling his steel company.

Young Entrepreneur: When he was doing job in railroad, he took initiative to invest money in the new company. He wanted to manufacture railway sleeping cars. He tried his level best to encompass the new bridges, rails and locomotives. In 1865, the Keystone Bridge Company was under the name of Andrew Carnegie and he organized it in better sense. Being a young entrepreneur, he played vital role and all of the workers were under his influence. Being a young and handy worker, he also took the command of steel works in 1873. He was one man army and was leading everything himself.

Philanthropist: After selling Carnegie steel, Carnegie retired from business and devoted his life to philanthropy. He wrote an essay "The Gospel of Wealth" in 1889. He stated that the rich persons have "a moral obligation to distribute their money in ways that promote the welfare and happiness of the common man. The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced". In this passion, Andrew Carnegie eventually devoted his money of $350 million to distribute and gave away in different activities. He funded his money to establish 2500 libraries. He donated 7,600 organs to the churches. He established organizations for researches in science, world peace, education and other causes. He also gifted $1.1 million to the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City to establish in 1891. He was truly a philanthropist person in his life.

Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum: A warm welcome is done to the visitors at the birthplace of Andrew Carnegie which had given the name of museum where any visitor can figure out interactive displays, demonstrations, weaving, exhibitions, kids' activities, garden, delightful café, unique museum shop and events space. The life of the 19th century was nothing less than a blessing for him and he became the well renowned person.

Scholar and Activist: Andrew Carnegie spent 20 years as a scholar and activist in his business career and literary intentions were materialized. He made Mathew Arnold his friend and got humorous Mark Twain their partner in the same arena. He become notable writer in their company and wrote various essays. Carnegie gave preference to be scholar and established a public library in Dunfermline in 1879 at the cost of $40,000. He also built up laboratory n New York Medical Center and it now calls Carnegie Laboratory. In 1881, he took initiative to enjoy the tour with his mother to the UK by coach and enjoyed them. His mother laid foundation of the library in Dunfermline as well. Andrew clearly mentioned everything in true sense as Nnamdi Azikiwe said, "Originality is the essence of true scholarship. Creativity is the soul of the true scholar". He acted as a close connection between English speaking persons to make them united. Later on, his brother Thomas died at the ripe age of 43 but his success continued. Even though he was renowned figure but still he became controversial figure after returning from the UK tour. He purchased various magazines and wrote "An American Four in hand in Britain" after returning from the tour. His book created controversy against him in the UK and his economic progress now had been jolted to and fro. The book was sold out in higher numbers and 40,000 copies were sold over in the US. He was known as prolific writer.

Anti-Imperialism: Carnegie was against British imperialism and he strongly opposed American colonies. He wanted Philippine to be independent country. He tried hard to make arrangements for Philippines' independence. When the war between Spain and America came near, The US bought Philippines in $20 million from Spain. Andrew Carnegie was against this purchased and he himself offered $20 million to the Philippines so that they may be free from the US by giving this money to them. They may purchase their independence. When nothing in response of this offer came, he took part in the anti-imperialism league to play vital role to make other countries free of the imperialism. His part in the independence of Philippine cannot be negated as he was the first figure in this. He was truly a renowned figure of this strike. He wanted Philippine to be free and live at their will. He wanted to get everything going in the right ways as anyone wish to do.

Controversies of Life: Carnegie was blamed to be involved in Johnstown Flood that came by dint of South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club right on the top of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. His club brought flood that killed more than 2209 people and he was accused of doing so along with other 50 members. It was basically established on canal system but it brought flood in the town that killed innumerable people.
Andrew also built up a dam. This dam was 72 feet high and its length was 931 feet. With the passage of time, it was leaked and patched up with straws and mud.

Moreover, the owner also sold out the 3 iron pipes that control the release of the water. Such problems were coming up and he took some heed to it but did not completely give it all the attention. The concerns came up and were raised to the head of Cambria. Unusual snowmelt, reduction in height and repair works brought the dam to bring deaths of the people. The combination of these problems makes the dam to destroy and flow the water to the valley in May 31, 1889. The valley was under the revolutionary flood and more than 2209 people were killed by dint of it. It became the controversy for him, bringing loss in his business of steel and others. His business was heavily damaged and full production was reduced to the nothingness. He believes in quote of Richard M. Nixon, "If an individual wants to be a leader and isn't controversial, that means he never stood for anything". Controversy plays important role in the progress and promotion of the person's life. If you don't commit mistakes, how can you get right decision power? His wrong decisions made him perfect person to decide well.

Philosophy: The philosophy of Andrew Carnegie's life to give away money for various causes. He donated $350,695,654 for different causes in his life. He kept himself away from different religious circles and made himself a well organized and renowned personality. He wanted to be known as "positivist". He never wanted to be known as religious person as he believed "There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness". His influence of the life impacts our lives in better sense. The dictum of his philosophy was:

• Gave away first third of the life on education.
• Spend next third on earning and collecting money.
• Spend last third of the life in giving away all the money in worth-mentioning or worthwhile causes.

We can notice that he did all this his philosophy was. Anyone who loves to be creative, earning person and renowned one in the world should follow his philosophy. I'll also recommend his philosophy in my life. Firstly, get complete education as much you can, earn money and save it as much you can and finally, gave away all in great causes to live worth-mentioning life. Such writings come few and far between in the history and Andrew Carnegie is one of the best examples of the past.

Publications: Andrew Carnegie was a frequent contributor in the world libraries and love education one can have. His publications have no match and were matchless in his writings. He believed that "Having been unpopular in high school is not just cause for book publications". He wrote various books and essays at his name and let me clearly and candidly counts each one here.

1. Triumphant Democracy (1886)
2. The Gospel of Wealth (1889)
3. An American Four-in-hand in Britain (1883)
4. Round the World (1884)
5. The Empire of Business (1902)
6. The Secrets of Business is the Management of Men (1903)
7. James Watt (1905)
8. Problems of Today (1907)
9. Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie (1920) (Later after his death)

Family and Marriage: Carnegie's mother lived with him till her death in 1886. He was pretty influenced by her in his life. He got married at the ripe age of 51, after his mother's death who was against marriage, with Louise Whitfield, 20 years junior to him, the daughter of New York City merchant. They got one child, named at his mother's name, Margaret in 1897. They lived in Manhattan mansion in winter and were accustomed to spend summers in Scotland in their 28,000 acres castle. He knew that "The love of family and the admiration of friends are much more important than wealth and privilege". He let great matrimonial life and was not unaware of his duties. He played his part with his better half and he got perfect popularity in his life. His wife was completely satisfied with him, regardless of the age difference. They led completely contented life.

Andrew Carnegie got married Whitfield on April 22, 1887 in her family's home. At that time, the difference of the ages was very critical. Whitfield was of 30 and Carnegie was 51 years old. As a marriage gift, Whitfield got $20,000 annual income and a home to reside in. After a decade of their marriage, they got only child namely Margaret, named at Andrew's mother name.

Final Years: Carnegie died as Shakespeare said "thus with a kiss I die" in Lenox, Massachusetts, by dint of bronchial pneumonia on August 11, 1919. He gave away $350,695,653 in his life and his remains were $30,000,000 given to charities, foundations and pensioners. His last mausoleum was in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in North Tarrytown, New York. He was of 83 years and spent his life as he yearned for. He will be remembered in 19th century by dint of his hard work and various other reasons. He cannot be negated whenever the name of 19th century will come.

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