Andrew Carnegie Biography, Andrew Carnegie Accomplishments

Andrew Carnegie was a renowned industrialist and philanthropist. His is a brief insight into his life. He was born in the city of Dunfermline located in Scotland on 25 November 1835. He did not receive any formal education, but his family inculcated a love for learning and books. His father was a handloom weaver.

At the age of fourteen, Andrew began working at the Pittsburgh Telegraph Office. It was during this period that Thomas Scott, who was a superintendent at the Pennsylvania Railroad, noticed him. He hired Andrew to become his assistant. When the Civil War broke out, Scott ended up becoming the Assistant Secretary of War, and this prompted Andrew to relocate to Washington along with Scott. Once the war finished, Andrew was given Scott’s position in the railroad company. During this time, Andrew made many business investments that reaped him good returns. He also invested in Keystone Bridge Company and ended up becoming a 1/5th shareholder of the company. More..

Andrew Carnegie Accomplishments

          Andrew Carnegie was actually born in Scotland. However, when economic depression occurred in the year 1848, the Carnegie family relocated to the US. Andrew’s father was a handloom weaver and decided to shift to Allegheny in Pennsylvania where a sizeable Scottish population was present. On arriving to the US, Andrew immediately started working in a cotton factory, but did not discontinue his education. He used to go to a night school. Andrew Carnegie had a keen sense of observation and excellent business acumen. These characteristics helped him to achieve success.

          At the age of fourteen, Andrew began working at the Pittsburgh Telegraph Office. It was during this period that Thomas Scott, who was a superintendent at the Pennsylvania Railroad, noticed him. He hired Andrew to become his assistant. When the Civil War broke out, Scott ended up becoming the Assistant Secretary of War, and this prompted Andrew to relocate to Washington along with Scott. Once the war finished, Andrew was given Scott’s position in the railroad company. During this time, Andrew made many business investments that reaped him good returns. He also invested in Keystone Bridge Company and ended up becoming a 1/5th shareholder of the company. More..

How Did Andrew Carnegie Affect The Labor Unions ?

Andrew Carnegie was a typical rag to riches story. He was envied for becoming rich after starting from humble beginnings and he was also admired for his business acumen. Andrew was responsible for changing the way industries in the US worked. He set an example by using modern technology to increase production. He supplied the country with steel for its growth and expansion. However, all this came at a cost. And, it is claimed that the practices that Andrew Carnegie used came at the expense of the laborers working for him.

         When Carnegie set up by steel manufacturing units across the US, there were no laws to govern the rights of workers. However, this did not mean that Andrew was against unionization of workers. Rather, he supported the formation of unions and was also instrumental in getting his partner, Henry Frick, to come to a settlement with striking workers. But all this was forgotten when Carnegie Steel Company saw a strike at its Homestead unit located in Pennsylvania in the year 1892. More..