Robber Barons and Captains of Industry Some might believe that the businessmen of the Gilded age are robber barons because of how some of them treated their workers and spent their money. The businessmen of the Gilded Age were captains of industry because of the impact that they made on the country. Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan, and Vanderbilt all have done things that can identify them as captains of industry. These businessmen gave their time and effort to help the economy grow. Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller were hardworking and used their money to help others instead of keeping it for themselves. They both started and donated to charities. Carnegie gave away most of his money before he died and established thousands of libraries.