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The Robber Barons 

The Robber Barons: Andrew Carnegie

The Robber Barons

Andrew Carnegie

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Robber Barons, Andrew Carnegie

Adam Smith tells the story of steel tycoon, philanthropist and unionbuster Andrew Carnegie

Adam Smith explores the paradox of Carnegie, the steel tycoon gave away millions - yet made money corruptly. From 2016.

In the 19th century, so-called 'Robber Barons' - men like Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jay Gould, Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan - seized the great new opportunities thrown up by the United States' Industrial Revolution. 

The Robber Barons built vast businesses, and helped forged a radically new country - the basis of the America we know today. But did they sow the seeds of amazing progress, or did they steal the American Dream?  Historian Adam Smith tells their stories and confronts their legacy.

In this episode, Adam explores the paradoxical career of steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie.

Carnegie was born poor in Scotland and seized the opportunities America offered.

He clambered up through the burgeoning telegraph and railroad industries through determination, hard work and intelligence.  But along the way he was making money by corrupt means.

With the help of this money, he launched himself into the steel industry.  His deployment of innovations in production helped him dominate it.

And then he sold up and spent decades giving away his money to pay for libraries and concert halls.

And yet he was also one of America's leading strike-breakers, not averse to using violence to crush trade union activity.

With: TJ Stiles, Joanna Cohen, Steve Fraser

PRODUCER: PHIL TINLINE 

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Factual: History

Historian Adam Smith tells the stories of the giants of 19th Century American business.

Historian Adam Smith tells the stories of the giants of American business, who seized the great new opportunities thrown up by the United States' Industrial Revolution

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