Andrew Carnegie

　　Andrew Carnegie, known as the King of Steel, built the steel industry in the United States, and ,in the process, became one of the wealthiest men in America. His success resulted in partfrom his ability to sell the product and in part from his policy of expanding during periods ofeconomic decline, when most of his competitors were reducing their investments.

　　Carnegie believed that individuals should progress through hard work, but he also feltstrongly that the wealthy should use their fortunes for the benefit of society. He opposedcharity, preferring instead to provide educational opportunities that would allow others to helpthemselves. "He who dies rich, dies disgraced," he often said.

　　Among his more noteworthy contributions to society are those that bear his name, including the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh, which has a library, a museum of fine arts, and amuseum of national history. He also founded a school of technology that is now part ofCarnegie-Mellon University. Other philanthrophic gifts are the Carnegie Endowment forInternational Peace to promote understanding between nations, the Carnegie Institute ofWashington to fund scientific research, and Carnegie Hall to provide a center for the arts.

　　Few Americans have been left untouched by Andrew Carnegie's generosity. Hiscontributions of more than five million dollars established 2,500 libraries in small communitiesthroughout the country and formed the nucleus of the public library system that we all enjoytoday.