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Essay on Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie (1835—1919) was a Scottish-born immigrant who built a United States steel production empire from a humble start. He created his wealth at a time when the morality of capitalism and the treatment of labor were the subjects of serious debate. But Carnegie believed the wealthy had an obligation to better mankind by sharing their riches. And during his life gave away approximately 90% of his fortune or about $350 million.
The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie is the story of a man's life, especially when it is told by the man himself, should not be interrupted by the hecklings of an editor. He should be allowed to tell the tale in his own way, and enthusiasm, even extravagance in recitation should be received as a part of the story. The quality of the man may underlie exuberance of spirit, as truth may be found in apparent exaggeration. Therefore, in preparing these chapters for publication the editor has done little more than arrange the material chronologically and sequentially so that the narrative might run on unbrokenly to the end. Some footnotes by way of explanation, some illustrations that offer sight—help to the text, have been added; but the narrative is the thing. (Carnegie, 1986)
This is neither the time nor the place to characterize or eulogize the maker of "this strange eventful history," but perhaps it is worth while to recognize that the history really was eventful. And strange. Nothing stranger ever came out of the Arabian Nights than the story of this poor Scotch boy who came to America and step by step, through many trials and triumphs, became the great steel master, built up a colossal industry, amassed an enormous fortune, and then deliberately and systematically gave away the whole of it for the enlightenment and betterment of mankind. Not only that....
