Andrew Carnegie was one of the wealthiest men in history. He had built a massive fortune in the American steel industry and sold his company to J.P. Morgan for $480 million in 1901, making him briefly the richest man in the world. But instead of keeping his fortune, he gave much of it away - and one of his biggest projects was building libraries. He spent his final years giving away about 90 percent of his wealth. Between 1883 and 1929, he funded 2,509 public libraries across the English‑speaking world, spending over $56 million.
The deal came with rules: towns had to provide the land, ensure the libraries remained free, and commit 10% of construction costs to annual maintenance. It was a partnership, not a handout. More than a century later, 911 of his U.S. libraries are still functioning as libraries. A legacy that still opens doors - and minds.
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