Andrew Carnegie was born in Dunfermline in 1835 and from his humble beginnings he became the richest man in the world. Andrew Carnegie became King of the American Steel Industry after forging his empire in Pittsburgh, USA. After he sold his empire for $400 million in 1901 he set out on a crusade of giving his wealth back to the people. Andrew Carnegie established foundations and trusts in Britain, Europe and America but his greatest gift was to the people of his home town, Dunfermline. He purchased Pittencreif Park and set up the Andrew Carnegie trust fund so that it would be kept free for the masses.

Andrew Carnegie was a pacifist.He once said "I am not a peace at any price man, much as I should like to be", as he worked tirelessly to move troops from the north to fight at the front during the American civil war. By 1900 he had become one of the most prolific publicists for peace in the western world and had changed his outlook, by his own admission, to "A peace at any price man".

In addition to the many libraries and trust funds he built and set up to help the common man, he also set up his "Hero's Fund". To Andrew heroes of war were heroes of barbarism and in 1904 he decided to set up a fund to recognise the every day heroes of common life. His fund was used to recognise the actions of every day people in their help and assistance to others. Critics initialy called it "The generosity and noble character of Andrew Carnegie fund" in a slight at Andrew's self publicising. However within 5 years the Hero's Fund was universally recognised throughout America and Western Europe. The Hero's Fund Roll of Hero's has pride of place in Andrew's birthplace in Dunfermline. For more information please visit the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum