The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie

by Andrew Carnegie

Overview

Andrew Carnegie, the great steel-baron-turned-philanthropist, was an industrialist unlike any other. His famous dictum, that he who dies rich dies disgraced, has inspired a generation of twenty-first-century philanthropists to follow in his footsteps and put their money towards philanthropic causes. He had an unwavering belief in distributing wealth for good, and systematically and deliberately gave away the bulk of his riches throughout his lifetime.

Born in 1835, he emigrated with his family to the United States from Scotland at a young age. His first job was in a cotton factory, and he later worked as an errand boy. The industrial age brought great opportunities for Mr. Carnegie. With drive and hard work, he amassed a fortune as a steel tycoon, and by adulthood the errand boy was one of the richest and most generous men in the United States. A strong dedication to giving back guided him throughout his life and career. During his own lifetime, he put his ideas into action by creating a family of organizations that continue to work toward improving the human condition, advancing international peace, strengthening democracy, and creating social progress that benefits men, women and children both in the United States and around the globe.

Here, in the reissue of the classic autobiography that has inspired generations, is the rags-to-riches tale of the life and philosophies of one of the most celebrated industrialists and philanthropists in history. From his humble beginnings as a poor Scottish immigrant to his immense success in business, Andrew Carnegie outlines the principles that he lived by and that today serve as the pillars of modern philanthropy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610390811
Publisher:	PublicAffairs
Publication date:	06/14/2011
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	230,549
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) was a Scottish American industrialist who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late nineteenth century. He was also one of the most important philanthropists of his era.

AudioFile Earphones Award winner Antony Ferguson is a native of London, England. He is a classically trained actor and has appeared in numerous productions in London, Off-Broadway, and regional theater. As a voice actor, he has over fifty audiobooks to his credit. Antony lives in Los Angeles.

Table of Contents

I Parents and Childhood l

II Dunfermline and America 20

III Pittsburgh and Work 32

IV Colonel Anderson and Books 45

V The Telegraph Office 54

VI Railroad Service 65

VII Superintendent of the Pennsylvania 84

VIII Civil War Period 99

IX Bridge-Building 115

X The Iron Works 130

XL New York as Headquarters 149

XII Business Negotiations 167

XIII The Age of Steel 181

XIV Partners, Books, and Travel 198

XV Coaching Trip and Marriage 210

XVI Mills and the Men 220

XVII The Homestead Strike 228

XVIII Problems of Labor 240

XIX The "Gospel of Wealth" 255

XX Educational and Pension Funds 268

XXI The Peace Palace and Pittencrieff 282

XXII Matthew Arnold and Others 298

XXIII British Political Leaders 309

XXIV Gladstone and Morley 318

XXV Herbert Spencer and his Disciple 333

XXVI Blaine and Harrison 341

XXVII Washington Diplomacy 350

XXVIII Hay and Mckinley 358

XXIX Meeting The German Emperor 366

Bibliography 373

Index 377

What People are Saying About This

John C. Van Dyke

Nothing stranger ever came out of The Arabian Nights than the story of poor Scotch boy who came to America and step by step, through many trials and triumphs, became the great steel master, built a colossal industry, amassed an enormous fortune, and then deliberately and systematically gave away the whole of it for the enlightenment and betterment of mankind.
—(John C. Van Dyke, editor's note to the 1920 edition)