Andrew Carnegie

Summary

Joseph Frazier Wall’s 1970 biography traces Andrew Carnegie’s rise from Scotland and early work in America to his industrial career and philanthropy. Drawing on correspondence and business records, it follows ventures in railroads, oil, bridges, iron and steel, as well as his relationships with Henry Clay Frick and other partners.

Wall examines the tension between Carnegie’s egalitarian upbringing and his place among America’s richest industrialists. The account includes his treatment of workers during the Homestead strike, the moral compromises of his business dealings and the public purposes he pursued with his wealth.

• SourceOxford University Press description: Andrew Carnegie · Publisher description; original 1970 volume; Frick relationship, Homestead strike, correspondence and business filesChecked 2026-10-05

Why read it Our view

Read it to study a business career alongside its effects on partners, workers and society. Wall’s account makes it possible to compare a founder’s stated ideals with the choices made as the company grows. It also gives context for decisions about delegation and responsibility: building a successful enterprise does not settle the question of how it should treat people.