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Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919): the inventor of modern patronage

Updated: Dec 25, 2021



The American tradition of modern patronage had an undisputed founder, Andrew Carnegie. ​ Throughout history we find many examples of patronage, i.e. the financial support of powerful and wealthy individuals for projects for the common good. For example, we can mention the patronage of Archbishop Raymond, who supported the Toledo School of Translators in the 12th century. The Medici's great support for Renaissance artists such as Botticelli and Michelangelo, and their rescue of incunabula that formed the nucleus of the Vatican library, is also well known.


In recent times we have the example of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett who have donated a significant part of their fortune to projects for the common good (through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), urging other millionaires to follow their example.


All this is widely known. What is perhaps less well known is that the American tradition of modern patronage had a founder, Andrew Carnegie, who donated a large part of his fortune during his lifetime, and also wrote a manifesto that can be considered the founding document of modern patronage. ​ Andrew Carnegie ​ Born in Scotland, Andrew Carnegie emigrated with his parents to the United States and began working at an early age for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. At the age of 20 he was already manager and direct collaborator of its owner Thomas A. Scott. He later founded the Carnegie Steel Company and made most of his fortune in steel, selling his company to J.P. Morgan in 1901, who created U.S. Steel. Considered by Forbes magazine to be the second richest person in history, Carnegie devoted the rest of his life to large-scale philanthropy. Some estimate that Carnegie distributed 90% of his fortune, some US$78 billion in today's terms.


We recommend reading Carnegie's original statement in which he argues that inheritance does not serve the purpose of benefiting the most. The wealthy individual must himself manage his wealth and its distribution for the common good, for he has demonstrated a talent for generating economic resources.


And the resources should not be distributed in liquid form to the masses, diluting their impact. On the contrary, it is necessary to teach how to fish and to support those who want to help themselves first.


Libraries as an opportunity for personal improvement


Carnegie funded many public libraries not only in the United States but also in Europe, for example in Rheims, France. He was inspired by his own personal experience. He himself had benefited from the fact that Colonel James Anderson opened his private collection of 1000 volumes to working children on Saturday mornings. Between 1883 and 1929 Carnegie financed the construction of 2509 Carnegie libraries. Of these, 1795 were in the United States and 1687 were public libraries. ​ By their works ye shall know them ​ Carnegie-funded works include, among the landmarks, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Carnegie Endowment for the Arts, the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Carnegie Mellon University.


Carnegie's works were inspired by a set of principles of action that he synthesized in his "Gospel of Wealth."


The man of wealth has duties clearly outlined in this Manifesto:

This, then is held to be the duty of the man of wealth: To set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him; and, after doing so, to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds, which he is called upon to administer, and strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community — the man of wealth thus becoming the mere trustee and agent for his poorer brethren, bringing to their service his superior wisdom, experience, and ability to administer, doing for them better than they would or could do for themselves…


In bestowing charity, the main consideration should be to help those who will help themselves; to provide part of the means by which those who desire to improve may do so; to give those who desire to rise the aids by which they may rise; to assist, but rarely or never to do all.

​ Andrew Carnegie left a magnificent legacy not only of numerous works for the common good, but what is more important, a moral example for future generations. Those who have lived in the United States know that Carnegie's manifesto is today an unwritten moral law: anyone who achieves financial success in business, as a sportsperson, an artist, or in any other way, is expected to support philanthropic causes in a significant way. She may choose which causes she wishes to support, but failure to do so will be considered incomprehensible and socially reprehensible.


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