Why Is Andrew Carnegie Important

The fortune of Andrew Carnegie can be difficult to comprehend. Its growth was rapid, rising and endless. This kind of fortune seems desirable to many men, so naturally his success has been tried to replicate. But because the accumulation of wealth is so complex because of an ever-changing market results are varied. Experts today still cannot come to a consensus on what allowed a man with next to nothing could gain such wealth. While not every aspect of him can be analyzed it is clear that a few simple things set him apart from the rest of the working. Carnegie became one of the wealthiest men to ever live because of aggressive investment, constantly connecting with influential people, and a complete focus on his desires. Rising from the lowest

In that year he made more than $42,000, an incredible amount of money for a 21 year old entrepreneur considering that the president of the Unite States made only $25,000 annually (Frost). The young Carnegie had been extremely successful in each of his investments so far and began to expand his reaches. The railroads were a booming business at the time, as were iron and coal and the other industrial materials that Carnegie had pledged money to (Frost). With each of his investments he researched markets and chose industries that he had experience in already which led to large but confident investments, and subsequently, the accumulation of a considerable amount of money. With his egg nest built, he shifted from investing in other people’s dreams and pulled his money together to form his own company. “By 1873, Carnegie had recognized America's need for steel” (Andrew Carnegie). Carnegie made a decisive move towards a new venture. This was a key moment in the growth of his power and wealth. At the time there was no guarantee that he would make a fortune and become one of the wealthiest men to ever live, he made a calculated risk with his money. He discovered a need and a way to deliver it at a profit. The growth of the country, the need for bigger stronger machines, buildings, infrastructure of the nation, created a need that an aggressive entrepreneur like Carnegie could

His job at the telegraph office was done completely, with a focus on doing the best he could; showing his employers that he was determined gained their trust (Gouldin). With his focus on the growth of his fortune he was able to put all of his other advantages to do more than he could if he only used some of his resources. When finally decided to put his investments all to use in the creation of his steel corporation he did just that, used all of his investments (Andrew Carnegie). His focus was an unstoppable force. His desire, determination, attitude that there was no other option other than success pushed him to his limits. When he thought that it was time to retire and redistribute his fortune he did little besides engage in philanthropy. Huge donations made towards the education of the public were carefully considered. Living up to his philosophy of never doing anything halfway, by the end of his life nearly 90% of his fortune had been donated (Gouldin). Once Carnegie found something that he wanted he wouldn’t let anything stand in his way, not the lack of means in his youth, and not the protests of his underpaid employees. All obstacles had to be crushed if they stood between Carnegie and his