Andrew Carnegie Research Paper

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Andrew Carnegie believed that the new upper class of self-made rich had a responsibility to the community. Carnegie recognized that there is a growing “contrast between the palace of the millionaire and the cottage of the laborer with us today measure the change which has come with civilization.” (Readings in United States History pg21) Carnegie believed this growing gap between the wealthy and the poor was beneficial. Carnegie stated that; with a few people in possession of most of the wealth, it would allow the elites to be able to organize that wealth to help the community. Carnegie proposed that the best way of dealing with this wealth inequality was for the wealthy to redistribute their extra money in a responsible manner.

This idea …show more content…
Carnegie’s idea was put into practice through a program of gifts to donate public libraries, known as Carnegie libraries in cities throughout the United States, with the idea that he was providing people with ways to better themselves. Carnegie has a strong belief that “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.” (Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie, Carnegie pg. 289). When Carnegie realized he could not give away his entire fortune within his lifetime, he established the Carnegie Foundation to continue his program of giving.

These Carnegie libraries started to pop up in cities across the country. These free libraries follow Carnegie's philosophy of offering to the lower class things that the upper class already has access to. “Of the 1,689 Carnegie Libraries built, 32 were in Texas.” ("CARNEGIE LIBRARIES in Texas." Carnegie Libraries in Texas.) One of these library grants even made it to Brian, Texas. These libraries impacted the community allowing those who could not afford an education to go into the library and gain knowledge freely and better …show more content…
Bryan, Texas was among the early cities that took advantage of this offer. In 1902, Bryan, Texas had among its citizens several ladies who found their city to be uncivilized. “These ladies founded the "Mutual Improvement Club," and set out to improve their home town.” ( "Bryan + College Station Public Library System.", History of the Carnegie) In 1902, Mutual Improvement Club leaders Mrs. George M. Brand and Mrs. Rose Fountain Howell got the Bryan city council to agree to fund the new library with $1,000 annually for upkeep. With the town in agreement to fund the library for upkeep, the ladies set out to have Carnegie fund the building of the library. Carnegie agreed to fund the library and hired an architect from the local college. The architect chosen for the construction of the new library was Professor Fred R. Giesecke, of Texas A&M. The building was open to the public in December of 1903. The building can even be visited to this day at 111 S. Main St. Bryan, TX
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