A series of events to mark 100 years since the death of Fife-born business magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie is to begin later this month.
One of Dunfermline’s most famous sons, Carnegie led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and devoted much of his life to large-scale philanthropy, donating millions to charity and good causes before his death on August 11, 1919.
To commemorate the centenary since his passing, ONFife has organised a number of special events at Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries – home of the world’s first Carnegie Library – which will begin on November 25, Carnegie’s birthday.
An afternoon of art, history and music will open with a short talk on the famous 1925 portrait painting of Andrew Carnegie in the presence of Joe Whiteman, the great, great, great grandson of Andrew Carnegie.
ONFife’s Gavin Grant will discuss the portrait as it returns to the library in the new award-winning building.
Composer Ian Hammond Brown will stage a performance of selected songs from his musical, Carnegie the Star Spangled Scotchman, following a run at the Edinburgh Fringe.
The musical will be performed in full at the Carnegie Hall on May 17 and 18.
Carnegie expert Sharron McColl, who has helped organise many of the centenary events, described Carnegie as “a very complex and fascinating man” and will deliver a lecture entitled ‘The Lives of Andrew and Louise Carnegie’.
The November 2018 event will launch next year’s events being held across Fife from St Andrews to Burntisland and Dunfermline.
International speakers such as Barbara Mistick, president of the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, and Keith Webster, Dean at Carnegie Mellon University, will travel to Dunfermline to give different insights to the world’s richest man.
Exhibitions include Images of Pittsburgh – a photographic record of the Carnegie Libraries around the world – all captured by mobile phone.
There will also be a rare opportunity to view previously unseen portraits of Carnegie and his family.
The first event in the centenary will take place in the Canmore Room, Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries, on Sunday November 25 between 12.15pm and 2.15pm. Tickets cost £5.
