Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919)
A steel tycoon who became one of the richest men in history, Carnegie spent the last decades of his life giving away 90% of his fortune (approx. $350 million). He believed the wealthy were merely “trustees” of their money and should administer it for the public good.
Key Philanthropic Activities
- Public Libraries: Funded the construction of 2,509 libraries worldwide (1,679 in the US), granting millions access to free education.
- Education: Founded Carnegie Mellon University and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
- World Peace: Funded the construction of the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands.
- Science: Established the Carnegie Institution for Science to support research and discovery.
