Carnegie’s first job was working as a bobbin boy at the age of thirteen in Allegheny, at Mr. Blackstock’s textile mill. He went on to become a telegraph operator and secretary to the superintendent of the Pittsburgh division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Shrewd investment in stocks enabled him to move up the ranks of the steel industry, and he became chief owner of the Homestead Steel Works. As a steel manufacturer, he became one of the richest men in the world. Upon his retirement, he devoted the rest of his life to the distribution of his wealth.
Ferris worked in Allegheny as a designer and builder of railroads, tunnels and bridges. He developed the new profession of testing and inspecting structural iron and steel. In response to the challenge given American engineers, he invented the Ferris Wheel for the Chicago World’s Fair 1893. The original wheel rose 250 feet in the air and carried 36 cars.
Stephen Foster is the son of William Barclay Foster, mayor of Allegheny City. Stephen was the first great American songwriter; during his short life he wrote some 200 songs, many of them as popular today as they were when they first published. His songs "Oh, Susannah!," "My Old Kentucky Home" and "Old Folks at Home" are a part of our American heritage.
Born and educated in Allegheny City, she married Dr. Stanley Rinehart and worked as his nurse. She started writing short stories for lady’s magazines. Her first two novels, "The Circular Staircase" and "The Man in Lower Ten" were immediate successes and sold well for many years. She combined suspense, humor and characterization with a style which was widely imitated.
Mary was born in Allegheny City and studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. She journeyed to Italy and Spain to study the old masters. In Paris she associated with leaders of the Impressionist school and became the friend of Degas. The main theme of her paintings and prints is motherhood, showing mothers and children in their intimate moments. From her Paris studio she helped expand the Impressionist movement by advising her wealthy friends to buy this type of art.
Born in Allegheny City, she became a pupil of Ruth St. Denis. She broke with the rigid conventions of ballet of the 19th century, moved to New York City, and formed her own dance company. As one of the world's most prominent dance innovators, her inspired choreography of "Cave of the Heart" and "Appalachian Spring," is still a standard of many dance companies.
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Andrew Carnegie: 1835-1919
George Washington Gale Ferris: 1859-1896
Stephen Collins Foster: 1826-1864
Mary Roberts Rinehart: 1876-1958
Mary Cassatt: 1845-1926
Martha Graham: 1895-1991
