Andrew Carnegie: life of the week

David Nasaw introduces Andrew Carnegie, who built a sprawling 19th-century empire from humble beginnings – and explains why his name still looms large in libraries, museums, and debates on wealth

Published: September 23, 2025 at 10:10 AM

Save

How did a man who crushed unions in Gilded Age America come to see himself as humanity’s benefactor? Speaking to Elinor Evans, historian and biographer David Nasaw explores the many contradictions of 19th-century industrialist Andrew Carnegie’s life. From his ruthless business tactics and controversial role in the violent 1892 Homestead Strike, to his reinvention as a pioneering philanthropist and self-declared enemy of war, they uncover how Carnegie shaped the age of steel – and struggled to reconcile capitalism with conscience.

Ad

Authors

Elinor EvansHead of digital (web and video)

Elinor Evans is head of digital (web and video)

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...