Carnegie, Andrew (1835-1919)

US industrialist and philanthropist, born in Scotland, who developed the Pittsburgh iron and steel industries, making the USA the world's leading producer. He endowed public libraries, education, and various research trusts. Carnegie invested successfully in railways, land, and oil. From 1873 he engaged in steelmaking, adopting new techniques. Having built up a vast empire, he disposed of it to the US Steel Trust 1901. After his death the Carnegie trusts continued his philanthropic activities. Carnegie Hall in New York, opened 1891 as the Music Hall, was renamed 1898 because of his large contribution to its construction. Carnegie, born in Dunfermline, was taken by his parents to the USA 1848. He began work at 14, in Pittsburgh, and was largely self-educated. As a railway employee, he introduced sleeping cars. He saved some capital and bought railway shares, and made a small fortune in oil. On business trips to Europe, he became acquainted with first the Bessemer process and then the open-hearth process of steelmaking, which he introduced to the USA. Carnegie was attacked by some as an exploiter of labour and an unscrupulous business competitor. However, on retirement he moved to Skibo Castle in Sutherland, Scotland, and used his wealth to endow libraries and universities, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and other good causes.