Jewels in Her Crown: Treasures of Columbia University Libraries Special Collections

Exhibition Themes > Philanthropy, Social Services, Human Rights > 78. Carnegie Family Convention

78.  Carnegie Family Convention, Pittsburgh. Black and white photograph (25.4 x 30.5 cm.) Pittsburgh Gazette Times, April 1910. RBML, Carnegie Corporation of New York Archives

This photograph shows the Carnegie family in Pittsburgh on the return of Mr. Andrew Carnegie (front row, third from the left) and Mrs. Whitfield Carnegie (front row, second from the left) from California en route to New York. Pittsburgh was the first place of residence in the United States for the 12-year-old Andrew, when he arrived from Scotland along with his parents Margaret and William, and his younger brother Tom. The family chose Pittsburgh, since Margaret Carnegie's sisters were already living in the area. Pittsburgh witnessed Carnegie's meteoric rise from bobbin boy on a cotton mill to a telegraph operator, then to a railroad manager, then to a steel industry titan. Over the years many other members of the extended family settled there as well. Andrew Carnegie moved to New York City in 1867, but Pittsburgh has always remained the site of his steel factories, and the recipient of many Carnegie benefactions.

Gift of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, 1990

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