|
|
Article: TO DIE RICH IS TO DIE DISGRACED.(philanthropist Andrew Carnegie)
- Article from:
- Cobblestone
- Article date:
- April 1, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
In 1901, Andrew Carnegie decided to sell his Carnegie Steel Company. The powerful financier J.P. Morgan offered to buy him out. Morgan told Carnegie to name his price. Carnegie took out a piece of paper and wrote down four hundred eighty million dollars. Without hesitation, Morgan accepted. When the two men met to close the deal, Morgan said, "Mr. Carnegie, I want to congratulate you on being the richest man in the world!" Retired from business at age sixty-five, Carnegie welcomed the challenge of living up to his philosophy of philanthropy.
Philanthropy was not new to Carnegie. In his thirties, he had given his first benevolent gift. He bestowed twenty-five ...