Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835 in Dunfermline, Scotland. In 1848, at the age of 13, Carnegie sailed with his family from Dunfermline to New York City, in search of a new life and new opportunities. After arriving to America, they traveled via steamboat to settle near friends and family in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. His father, Will, was a weaver, and his mother, Margaret, sewed to earn money. His brother, Tom, was 5 years old at the time of their sailing.

As a young man, Carnegie worked a variety of different jobs, ranging from factory worker to telegraph messenger and operator. His experiences working the telegraph for the Pennsylvania Railroad enabled him to learn about the railroad industry. He soon developed a keen business sense and began investing in oil and other products. Carnegie’s expertise led him to the steel industry and he started the Carnegie Steel Company, implementing methods that made making steel easier. By the time Carnegie was 30 years old, he was already on his way to becoming an extraordinarily successful businessman. Many historians note that though Carnegie was a very clever person, he also credited good timing and good luck for his success.

Carnegie’s mother lived with him until her death in 1886, when Carnegie was 50 years old.