Philanthropist; born in
Dunfermline, Scotland, Nov. 25, 1837; was brought to the
United States by his parents, who settled in
Pittsburg in 1848.
In the early part of his business career he was associated with
Mr. Woodruff, the inventor of the sleeping-car, in introducing it on railroads.
Afterwards he became superintendent of the
Pittsburg division of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company; invested largely in oil-wells which yielded him a considerable fortune; and then engaged in the manufacture of steel, iron, and coke.
He is widely known as a founder and contributor to public libraries, and a promoter of other educational institutions.
Among his most notable gifts are the
Carnegie Library and Institute, with art gallery, museum, and music hall, in
Pittsburg, erected at a cost of over $1,000,000, and endowed with several millions and implied promise for still more; the public library in Washingto, D. C., $350,000; and Cooper Union, New York, $300,000. In 1899-1900 his gifts aggregated about $7,000,000. In March, 1901, he offered $5,200,000 for libraries in New York City, and $1,000,000 for the same purpose in
St. Louis.
In May, 1901, he gave $10,000,000 to the
Scotch universities for educational purposes.
He has published
Triumphant Democracy;
An American four-in-hand in Britain;
Round the world;
Wealth, etc. See
iron and steel.