Andrew Carnegie: Builder of Libraries

by Charnan Simon

Describes the efforts of Andrew Carnegie to build public libraries as a way of improving community life in Pittsburgh and other places

Genres: History, Biography

46 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Carnegie: Builder of Libraries by Charnan Simon-Hindi language translation by Arvind Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Andrew Carnegi, the Builder of 2811 Libraries in USA and in other cities of the world. Andrew Carnegi born November 25, 1835 – death August 11, 1919, was a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist. Carnegie was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, and emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1848 at age 12. Carnegie started work as a telegrapher, and by the 1860s had investments in railroads, railroad sleeping cars, bridges, and oil derricks. He accumulated further wealth as a bond salesman, raising money for American enterprise in Europe. He built Pittsburgh's Carnegie Steel Company, which he sold to J. P. Morgan in 1901 for $303,450,000; it formed the basis of the U.S. Steel Corporation. After selling Carnegie Steel, he surpassed John D. Rockefeller as the richest American for the next several years. Carnegie led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and became one of the richest Americans in history. He became a leading philanthropist in the United States and in the British Empire. During the last 18 years of his life, he gave away around $350 million (roughly $5.5 billion in 2021), almost 90 percent of his fortune, to charities, foundations and universities. His 1889 article proclaiming "The Gospel of Wealth" called on the rich to use their wealth to improve society, expressed support for progressive taxation and an estate tax, and stimulated a wave of philanthropy. Carnegie devoted the remainder of his life to large-scale philanthropy, with special emphasis on local libraries, world peace, education, and scientific research. With the fortune he made from business, he built Carnegie Hall in New York, NY, and the Peace Palace and founded the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Carnegie Institution for Science, Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, Carnegie Hero Fund, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, among others. Coloured Illustrations help the reader to relate to the contents of the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Katie K · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED reading this with my 6, 8, and 10 year olds. So inspired by his determination, work ethic, philanthropy, etc. We plan to visit as many Carnegie libraries as we can. So saddened that the one in our town was demolished in the 60s :(

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a quick run down on Andrew Carnegie. Very short and full of facts. Yes, I will have to get more detailed books about this Andrew Carnegie. Very interesting subject.

[Pascale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to teach a community builders group of kids about libraries before they do a services project for us at the library I work at. It is the only book we have on Andrew Carnegie, but I am interested in reading more about him! Thanks to this awesome guy, we have free public libraries all over! Go books. :)

[Theophilus (Theo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing man. what would I do with all of that money? Give it away? I just don't know. He doesn't get the credit for his contribution to American education and society he deserves.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hero. <3