November 7, 2016 / Last updated : November 7, 2016 Mr. Bennett U.S. History

Robber Barons or Captains of Industry?

Robber Baron: an unscrupulous (dishonest or unfair) business man, especially an American capitalist who acquired a fortune in the late nineteenth century by ruthless means

Directions: Using the worksheet at the bottom of the post, research each of the following Robber Barons/Titans of Industry.

Andrew Carnegie

It shall be the rule for the workman to be Partner with Capital, the man of affairs giving his business experience, the working man in the mill his mechanical skill, to the company, both owners of the shares and so far equally interested in the success of their joint efforts.
—Andrew Carnegie
- From the EDSITEment resource American Memory
  - Today in History
  - Edgar Thomson Works, Carnegie Steel Co (Click on any of the images for photographs.)
- From America’s Library, a link from the EDSITEment resource American Memory
  - Andrew Carnegie
  - Andrew Carnegie Grows Up Working (Click “Next” for succeeding pages.)
  - Andrew Carnegie and His Parents (Click “Next” for succeeding pages.)
  - Andrew Carnegie Philanthropist (Click “Next” for succeeding pages.)
- From The Richest Man in the World: Andrew Carnegie on The American Experience, a link from the EDSITEment resource Internet Public Library (NOTE: This site contains a great deal of information and documents relating to Carnegie, including those listed below.)
How to Succeed in Life by Andrew Carnegie on the EDSITEment resource Learner.org
The Gospel of Wealth on The Internet Modern History Sourcebook, an extension of the EDSITEment resource The Internet Medieval Sourcebook

Cornelius Vanderbilt

I have been insane on the subject of moneymaking all my life.
—Cornelius Vanderbilt

You have undertaken to cheat me. I won’t sue you, for the law is too slow. I’ll ruin you.
—Cornelius Vanderbilt
- From the EDSITEment resource HarpWeek
  - Cartoon, “The Great Race for the Western Stakes” (and brief text)
- A Ferry to a Fortune on PBS
- A Business Biography of Cornelius Vanderbilt, available via a link from the EDSITEment resource Links to the Past
- “Cornelius Vanderbilt” and “The Erie Railroad Wars” (move down the page until you locate the sections entitled “Cornelius Vanderbilt” and “The Erie Railroad Wars”) from American History 102: Civil War to the Present, a link from the EDSITEment resource History Matters
- The Misunderstood Robber Barron – The Nation (Good General Info, but also use Contrl-F and search for “Workers”)

J. Pierpont Morgan
- From the EDSITEment resource Learner.org
  - Labor Union versus Morgan
- Brief Biography from The American Experience, a link from the EDSITEment resource Internet Public Library
- Biography of Morgan from Morgan Library a link from the EDSITEment resource American Memory
- First Public Demonstration of Edison’s Light Bulb from America’s Library, a link from the EDSITEment resource American Memory
- Morgan Finances Edison on The Smithsonian Museum of American History. (Note: This archival document and the previous article are here for their reference to Morgan as one of Edison’s “main investors,” showing how a financier like Morgan contributed to the American economy and quality of life.)

John D. Rockefeller
- From American Experience: The Rockefellers from PBS
  - John D. Rockefeller Timeline
  - Biography of John D. Rockefeller, Senior
  - Annotated Timeline
  - Rockefeller on Trial
  - Rockefeller’s Mark on America: Interactive Map
  - Critical Letter to the NY Times about Rockefeller
  - Letters to Rockefeller Requesting Donations
- Standard Oil of New Jersey (move down the page until you locate the section entitled “Standard Oil of New Jersey”) on American History 102: Civil War to the Present, a link from the EDSITEment resource History Matters