The idea is an old one

Reader comment on: WSJ on the Giving Pledge
in response to reader comment: You can't make this stuff up

Submitted by Lyle (United States), Aug 6, 2010 21:31

Carnegie held that dying rich was a bad thing, Rockefeller felt that he had a responsibility to help. It appears that after a crop of new rich reach latter middle age they start thinking of how they can be remembered. Carnegie clearly managed to be remembered because of all the libraries he help build. Rockefeller despite his personal feelings is responsible for the professionalization of medicine. Morgan ended up building a library that now belongs to the public, etc. The class of the 1980s billionaires are now reaching that age and thinking of how they want society to remember them in a positive light, being remembered as a Jay Gould or Dan Drew is not their desire.

Note: Comments are moderated by the editor and are subject to editing.

Other reader comments on this item

Comment on this item