Andrew Carnegie was one of America’s richest men. Carnegie’s networth is $4.8 billion after inflation. That’s $1 billion more that Donald Trump. Andrew Carnegie was most known for his wealth from owning Carnegie Steel. Carnegie is more than just a wealthy businessman. He started from nothing and built his business up. Andrew Carnegie, an immigrant of Scottish descent, is a great example of the American Dream. His strong work ethic, desire to further his education, and dedication to his family are all characteristics of the American Dream.

Andrew Carnegie became a successful immigrant by starting from scratch. Carnegie was born and raised in Dunfermline. When the economic conditions and job opportunities in Scotland deteriorated in his hometown, Carnegie’s family decided to sell everything they owned to move to America. Carnegie and family settled in Allegheny Pennsylvania. Carnegie quickly found work as a Bobbin Boy, earning a little over $1 an hour (Andrew Carnegie’s story). Carnegie’s job improved the following year when he was hired by a Pittsburgh telegraph company to deliver letters. He could watch plays from the upper balconies of the theatre. In his free time, Carnegie would spend countless hours in the library. After moving from Scotland, Carnegie made up lost education by reading everything he was able to. Carnegie’s dedication to his work would see him promoted as an operator for the telegraph service. Carnegie was promoted superintendent at the Pennsylvania railway within a single year of his arrival. Carnegie was promoted to superintendent in only eleven years. Carnegie’s only education was a secondary school education. As he progressed in his work, he gained more skills and acquired new knowledge. Carnegie’s success in overcoming the obstacles he faced was admirable, but his biggest opportunity awaited him. Carnegie gained exposure to several industries as a worker on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Andrew Carnegie made smart investments that brought him a great profit. Soon, Carnegie left the rails to launch what would eventually become the biggest business of the 19th-century. Carnegie founded a Pittsburgh steel company with his co-founders in 1870. Carnegie Steel would be born in 1892. This multi-million dollar corporation was at that time one of the leading industries, alongside Rockefeller Standard Oil. Carnegie Steel’s production in 1900 was greater than that of all British Steel companies put together (448). Carnegie Steel came into existence only because Carnegie was determined to seize America’s opportunities. Carnegie didn’t let his inability to get an education or his low salary determine his potential. Instead, he ended up running one of America’s most profitable companies.

Carnegie was the richest individual in the entire world when he sold the steel company he owned to John Pierpont Morgan, aged 66, for $480 millions dollars. Carnegie’s dedication to allocating his wealth to something greater than himself is often overlooked. Lapham wrote, “The rich man dies in shame.” Carnegie believed that young men like himself should have access to books without charge. He founded and funded 2,509 libraries. Carnegie spent $55 million on libraries. The remainder of Carnegie’s funds would be used to “promote international peace and education” in the U.S. Carnegie’s generosity in donating such a large portion of his income to others allowed young people like him to achieve the American Dream.

Carnegie’s reputation is often distorted by people who think he was a simple businessman, only interested in money. Homestead Strike in 1892 was a protest against the hard conditions of work. Carnegie supported labor organizations, but that his factory conditions led to such a violent outbreak fuelled a great deal of mistrust towards him and the work he did. Carnegie secretly recruited the government for help in eliminating the rioters to put an end to Homestead Act. Carnegie, however, was on vacation in Scotland at the time and could not witness the bloodshed that followed. Carnegie’s image was further damaged by this. Carnegie’s treatment of his workers was a mistake, but it does not change the story. Carnegie’s monopoly was built from the beginning “partly via intimidation or other unsavory methods, but with impressive business acumen and strategy”. This allowed him to keep his prices low and set them (Henry and Drajem). Carnegie, a self-taught genius of his decade, still represents the American Dream.

Carnegie was far more than just the businessman that history books have portrayed. He represents the American Dream. Carnegie’s willingness to continue his education and progress up the social hierarchy one step each time.