General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Hahahaha, Suck It Andrew Carnegie [View all]SharonClark
(10,005 posts)and glad Carnegie gave away 90% of his wealth to the public good.
For those who don't know how Carnegie made his fortune - through hard work, a brilliant mind, and good connections - I suggest learning more about him.
It was not just 3000 libraries.
In 1901, Carnegie also established large pension funds for his former employees at Homestead and, in 1905, for American college professors. The latter fund evolved into TIAA-CREF. One critical requirement was that church-related schools had to sever their religious connections to get his money.
His interest in music led him to fund construction of 7,000 church organs. He built and owned Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Carnegie was a large benefactor of the Tuskegee Institute for African-American education under Booker T. Washington. He helped Washington create the National Negro Business League.