Trowel used by Andrew Carneige

Category

Library Item

Item no

35448

Title

Trowel used by Andrew Carneige on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Public Library

Description

Inscription reads : This trowel was used by Andrew Carnegie Esquire, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Public Library. Presented by him to the City of Edinburgh, 9th July 1887. Made by Aitchison, 80 Princes Street Court Jewellers

Date

2003

Size

19.8 x 15.0 cm

Type

Metal

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Andrew Carnegie (25.11.1835 - 11.08.1919) was a Scottish-American industrialist and one of the most important philanthropists of his era.

Carnegie was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, and emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1848. His first job in the United States was as a factory worker in a bobbin factory. Later on he became a bill logger for the owner of the company. Soon after he became a messenger boy. Eventually he progressed up the ranks of a telegraph company. He built Pittsburgh's Carnegie Steel Company, which was later merged with Elbert H. Gary's Federal Steel Company and several smaller companies to create U.S. Steel, which he sold to J.P. Morgan in 1901 for $480 million.

With his fortune he devoted the remainder of his life to large-scale philanthropy, with special emphasis on local libraries, world peace, education and scientific research.

Andrew Carnegie founded the Carnegie UK Trust which was established in 1913.

Edinburgh Central Public Library is, strictly speaking, located on the Cowgate. It rises up four floors from this level to its main entrance on George IV Bridge. It was designed by George Washington Browne, and built in 1887-90. It was built with money donated by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Central Library acts as the community library for the centre of the city. It also has several subject dedicated sections: the Fine Art Library; Music Library; Edinburgh and Scottish Collection, and the Reference Library.

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