Andrew+Carnegie+-+AD+-+SP12

Andrew Carnegie completely embodies the aspect of the American Dream. Through hard work and perseverance, Carnegie became one of the most wealthy men in America. Carnegie began his trip to the top of the most wealthy list as an Scottish immigrant. At age 13 he was put to work. He began in a small factory working 72 hours a week for only one dollar and twenty cents a week. Carnegie then took a job as a messenger boy and rose up the ranks quickly until he was hired at the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. During that time Carnegie received a great education due to a local library. He also learned much about money and business; the same skills he would use to construct his own company. Sometime after the Civil War, Carnegie began his steel empire. Praying on the need of steel for railroads, Carnegie began one of the largest industries in America. After several years of dominating the steel industry, Carnegie retired and sold his company for four-hundred and eighty million dollars (with today's value being $13,409,280,000). Carnegie then spent his remaining years being a famous figure and a philanthropist. Throughout Carnegie's career, he donated money whenever he had it. At the end of his life Carnegie donated thirty million dollars to various organizations. By this time, Carnegie donated over 380 million dollars to construct libraries, universities, and anything else that he believed was beneficial to the world. I believe Carnegie donated so much money because his own beginnings were all due to a man that also constructed a library. Carnegie's goal was to make the world a better place, and he most certainly got the ball rolling with his very generous morals. Carnegie had overcame poverty to become one of the most wealthy and generous men to ever live. His family struggled so much in Scotland, that they were forced to move to America at the small chance at a better life. To support the family, Carnegie began working at age thirteen and didn't stop until he was sixty-six. Many Scottish Americans made a name for themselves in their new country, but none more than Carnegie. Carnegie truly tells the story of the American dream as he was an accurate depiction of the "rags to riches" story. He began his life in one room cottage shared by two families, and ended it as one of the most famous, generous, and wealthy men to ever walk the planet.