This person immigrated without money from Scotland to the United States in the mid 19th century. He made millions in the U.S. steel industry, and gave away most of the proceeds to educational, cultural, and peace-making organizations. Who was he?

The story of a penniless Scottish immigrant who became one of the wealthiest Americans in history belongs to Andrew Carnegie. Arriving in the United States in 1848, his life was a quintessential "rags-to-riches" tale. After working his way up in the railroad industry, he turned his focus to steel production. By using the innovative Bessemer process to mass-produce steel cheaply and efficiently, his Carnegie Steel Company dominated the market and became a cornerstone of America's industrial expansion, building the railroads and skyscrapers of the Gilded Age.

After selling his company in 1901 for nearly half a billion dollars, Carnegie began his second act as one of history's greatest philanthropists. He was guided by his famous essay, "The Gospel of Wealth," which argued that the rich had a moral duty to give away their fortunes for the public good. True to his word, he dedicated the rest of his life to this cause, determined to die a poor man.

His most famous contributions were aimed at education and culture. Carnegie personally funded the construction of more than 2,500 free public libraries across the English-speaking world, believing that access to books gave everyone a chance to improve their station in life. His immense generosity also established renowned institutions that still thrive today, including New York's iconic Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. By the time of his death, he had given away over 90% of his vast fortune.