Louise Whitfield Carnegie


Louise Whitfield Carnegie was the wife of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Early life

Carnegie was born on March 7, 1857 in Gramercy Park, Manhattan, New York City. She was the daughter of New York City merchant John D. Whitfield.

Philanthropy

After Carnegie's death Louise continued making charitable contributions to organizations including American Red Cross, the Y.W.C.A., the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, numerous World War II relief funds, and $100,000 to the Union Theological Seminary. She spent her summers at Skibo Castle.

Personal life

On April 22, 1887, she married Carnegie at her family's home in New York City in a private ceremony officiated by a pastor from the Church of the Divine Paternity, a Universalist church to which the Whitfields belonged. At the time of the marriage, Louise was 30; Carnegie was 51. As wedding gifts from her husband, Louise received a home at 5 West 51st Street and an annual income of approximately $20,000.
Ten years later in 1897, Louise gave birth to the couple's only child Margaret. Louise and her daughter were members of the Brick Presbyterian Church and later the Church of the Divine Paternity for whom she and her husband funded their organ.
Carnegie died at the age of 83 and was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, in Sleepy Hollow, New York.