About the Carnegie Collections

The Rare Book and Manuscript Library of Columbia University is the repository for the records of four philanthropic organizations founded and endowed by the Scottish steel magnate Andrew Carnegie:

  • Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY)
  • Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP)
  • Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (CFAT)
  • Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs (CCEIA)

All these collections deal primarily with Carnegie philanthropy and have very little personal material related to Andrew Carnegie. The Andrew Carnegie Personal Papers reside at the Library of Congress.

The Carnegie Collections unit operates as a part of Columbia University's Rare Book and Manuscript Library.  Materials from the Carnegie Collections are available for paging during regular Rare Book and Manuscript Library hours, and can be viewed in the RBML reading room.  The patrons are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Carnegie Collections archivist in order to discuss their research needs.

Please note that selected materials from the Carnegie Corporation of New York Records and the majority of Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Records and Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs Records are located offsite and need to be ordered in advance of your visit.  

The Carnegie Corporation of New York Records and Carnegie Endowment of International  Peace Records are stored on site, so no prior appointment is necessary to view them.

Photocopy orders of up to 500 pages per year may be set up by the researcher via the RBML reference center while using manuscript material in the RBML reading room.  For photocopy mail orders and other reprographic services for the Carnegie Collections materials please contact the Carnegie Collections Archivist.

Permission from the copyright holders must be obtained to publish and quote documents from the collections.  Please contact the Carnegie Collections Archivist for more detailed instructions and contact information.  A correct citation of the papers must be requested from the Director of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library in writing and be included with the publication.