Andrew Carnegie, industrialist and philanthropist, made much of his fortune in the American steel industry.  It was Carnegie’s lifelong belief that great men had an obligation to give back to their communities. The man who loved to read gave away the vast majority of his fortune before his death in 1919. Abhorring the concept of charity – as it did nothing to elevate the recipient – he concentrated his giving on education, offering a way for people to help themselves through learning. In addition to supporting institutions of higher education, Carnegie set out to build more than 2,500 free libraries – many in the Allegheny region, including Carnegie Hall on what is now Grove City College’s lower campus.

 

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