Andrew Carnegie has a 1889 article proclaiming ``The Gospel of Wealth''.
Andrew Carnegie -LRB- -LSB- kɑːrˈneɪɡi -RSB- , but commonly -LSB- ˈkɑːrnᵻɡi -RSB- or -LSB- kɑrˈnɛɡi -RSB- ; November 25 , 1835 -- August 11 , 1919 -RRB- was a Scottish-American industrialist who led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century , and is often identified as one of the richest people and Americans ever .. Scottish-American. Scottish-American. steel industry. steel industry. one of the richest people. List of wealthiest historical figures. Americans ever. List of richest Americans in history. He built a leadership role as a philanthropist for the United States and the British Empire .. philanthropist. philanthropist. British Empire. British Empire. During the last 18 years of his life , he gave away to charities , foundations , and universities about $ 350 million -LRB- in 2015 share of GDP , $ 78.6 billion -RRB- -- almost 90 percent of his fortune .. His 1889 article proclaiming `` The Gospel of Wealth '' called on the rich to use their wealth to improve society , and it stimulated a wave of philanthropy .. The Gospel of Wealth. The Gospel of Wealth. Carnegie was born in Dunfermline , Scotland , and emigrated in 1848 to the United States with his parents .. Dunfermline. Dunfermline. Carnegie started work as a telegrapher and by the 1860s had investments in railroads , railroad sleeping cars , bridges and oil derricks .. telegrapher. telegrapher. He accumulated further wealth as a bond salesman raising money for American enterprise in Europe .. He built Pittsburgh 's Carnegie Steel Company , which he sold to J.P. Morgan in 1901 for $ 480 million .. Carnegie Steel Company. Carnegie Steel Company. J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan. It became the U.S. Steel Corporation .. U.S. Steel Corporation. U.S. Steel Corporation. After selling Carnegie Steel , he surpassed John D. Rockefeller as the richest American for the next couple of years .. John D. Rockefeller. John D. Rockefeller. richest American. List of richest Americans in history. Carnegie devoted the remainder of his life to large-scale philanthropy , with special emphasis on local libraries , world peace , education and scientific research .. local libraries. Carnegie library. With the fortune he made from business , he built Carnegie Hall and the Peace Palace and founded the Carnegie Corporation of New York , Carnegie Endowment for International Peace , Carnegie Institution for Science , Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland , Carnegie Hero Fund , Carnegie Mellon University and the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh , among others .. Carnegie Corporation of New York. Carnegie Corporation of New York. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Carnegie Institution for Science. Carnegie Institution for Science. Carnegie Mellon University. Carnegie Mellon University. Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. Carnegie Hero Fund. Carnegie Hero Fund. Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall. Peace Palace. Peace Palace. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh