This week marks the biennial Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy celebrations, where the international family of Carnegie institutions recognises individuals making a positive change in the world. This year’s recipients have all contributed vast amounts of money towards arts, culture, and education, and are, according to Carnegie Corporation of New York president Professor Dame Louise Richardson, “true standard bearers of (Andrew Carnegie’s) legacy”.
There are numerous institutions and organizations bearing the Carnegie name, covering many different fields such as scientific research, arts, and international affairs. However, not all of Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropy was large-scale and global. We have recently finished processing hundreds of archival items in our collection backlog, and uncovered dozens of letters from people from all walks of life pleading Carnegie for financial help. Many who write to him are not asking for help for themselves, but rather a friend or a family they know, who are in a dire financial state. The letters are often accompanied by notes from clergymen, or solicitors, essentially someone in a respectable profession, vouching for the poor fortune and legitimacy of the claim.
One letter stood out from the rest, due to its very emotional content and unusual story. A young girl named Janet Duff from Dunfermline wrote to Carnegie on June 10th, 1907, asking for money so she could get an artificial leg. It is unclear exactly how old Janet was, or why she came to need a prosthetic leg, but this is what she wrote:
“Dear Sir
I have heard of you doing so many kind acts that I venture to ask you if you would be as kind to help me to get a leg – I have wanted a leg since childhood and it would be a great boon to both my parents and my-self if I had a leg if you would be as kind as help me – if you think me impeartmeat (sic) please burn this and don’t think any more about it
Miss Janet Duff
105 Pittencrieff St
Dunfermline”
Despite probably receiving hundreds of letters like this one, there is evidence to show that Carnegie read many of these letters personally. He often scribbled notes on the back, advising his solicitor John Ross how to proceed. In Janet Duff’s case, he wrote “if a worthy cause would like to do this and as you think best please”.
Janet Duff’s letter to Andrew Carnegie
