American history has witnessed many rags-to-riches stories because numerous people found opportunities to turn their intelligence and skills into money and influence. Andrew Carnegie was one of such individuals who did not have significant premises for being wealthy but managed to achieve success in their life. That is why this essay will comment on this historical personality by focusing on his bibliography and specific achievements that made him famous for the whole world.
To begin with, one should present a general overview of Carnegie’s biography. He was born in Scotland in 1835, and his parents were not wealthy people. In 1848, the family decided to look for better opportunities in America, and they settled in Pennsylvania (History.com Editors 2). This event significantly impacted Andrew because he found his first employment after finishing a few years of school. He started his career as a bobbin boy at a cotton factory. His perfect professional qualities and skills helped Carnegie became the “division superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1859” (History.com Editors par. 1). This event predetermined his successful future since Andrew earned sufficient financial resources and invested them in iron, oil, and railroad companies.
Carnegie’s investments were successful, allowing him to expand his business activity. Apart from involving in the railroad sector, Andrew founded a telegraph firm and an iron bridge building company. Carnegie established his first steel company in the 1870s; however, it happened in 1892 that Carnegie Steel Company appeared to consolidate his vast holdings (History.com Editors par. 5). That is why it is not surprising that many people rendered him as a steel magnate. This person became one of the richest individuals in the world when another businessman, John Morgan, purchased this company for $480 million.
Even though it is impossible to deny Carnegie’s essential impact on the business world, his entrepreneurial activity was not the only phenomenon that contributed to his prominent place in history. It is so because Andrew devoted much time and effort to philanthropic activity after selling his business. Janowski mentions that Carnegie “funded the establishment of 2,500 public libraries, donated over 7,600 organs to churches,” and others (1). He engaged in such activities to make the world better because anonymity, the absence of interested motives, and freedom of choice guided his charity decisions (Janowski 2). This example demonstrates that richness did not deprive this person of high moral principles. Simultaneously, Carnegie’s family relationships also reveal his positive personal qualities. It refers to the fact that he lived with his mother until she died and that he only had one wife.
In conclusion, the essay has offered a detailed explanation of why Andrew Carnegie occupies an essential place in the United States’ history. This person is an embodiment of perfect entrepreneurial abilities, a healthy passion for money, and high moral principles. In the modern world, this individual teaches two significant lessons. On the one hand, Carnegie’s case demonstrates that every person can achieve success irrespective of their background. On the other hand, this figure is worth considering because his wealth did not make him a self-centered person who only focused on his own money. Instead of it, Carnegie used his richness to help others, and his numerous philanthropic activities proved this claim. Thus, Andrew Carnegie can be considered one of the most noticeable entrepreneurs in the United States’ history.
Works Cited
History.com Editors. “Andrew Carnegie.”History, 2021.
Janowski, Andrzeij. “Philanthropy and the Contribution of Andrew Carnegie to Corporate Social Responsibility.” Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 155, 2020, pp. 1-26.