Andrew Carnegie And Bill Gates Essay
Andrew Carnegie and Bill Gates: both incredibly rich, incredibly generous (or so it appears) men from two differing time periods.Both men were self-made and owed their wealth to much hard work, and both were distinguished figures during their times. Furthermore, both utilized their wealth to perpetuate meaningful social change rather than reforming society altogether. Despite the similarities they share, the two men originated from relatively different backgrounds and did their benefacting through different methods. Renowned Progressive Era thinker and wealthy capitalist Andrew Carnegie did not always live so lavishly. Originally from a poor Scottish family, Carnegie learned early on from his parents the virtue of frugality and the significance of equality amongst the working class and the wealthy.The family eventually relocated to Pittsburgh
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For example, it was Carnegie’s belief that the wealthy should give back to society, and so he did. He stated in an essay, “Wealth,” that the responsibility of the wealthy man is to distribute his wealth for the benefit of the community. He strove to improve society by providing facilities such as “...parks, and means of recreation, by which men are helped in body and minds; works of art... and public institutions of various kinds, which will improve the general condition of the people,” (Pearson).Among these public institutions were schools and libraries; in fact, Carnegie’s funds helped found over 2800 libraries (). Carnegie felt that the true “Gospel of Wealth” was defined as “administering it [wealth] for the community far better than it could or would have done for itself.” That said, Andrew Carnegie was an altruistic man and used his riches not for “display or extravagance,” but rather to give back to society in the form of public facilities for people to cultivate better conditions for
For example, it was Carnegie’s belief that the wealthy should give back to society, and so he did. He stated in an essay, “Wealth,” that the responsibility of the wealthy man is to distribute his wealth for the benefit of the community. He strove to improve society by providing facilities such as “...parks, and means of recreation, by which men are helped in body and minds; works of art... and public institutions of various kinds, which will improve the general condition of the people,” (Pearson).Among these public institutions were schools and libraries; in fact, Carnegie’s funds helped found over 2800 libraries (). Carnegie felt that the true “Gospel of Wealth” was defined as “administering it [wealth] for the community far better than it could or would have done for itself.” That said, Andrew Carnegie was an altruistic man and used his riches not for “display or extravagance,” but rather to give back to society in the form of public facilities for people to cultivate better conditions for