Mr Carnegie has set a nearly unparalleled record in providing libraries and educational institutions across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. His immense generosity has resulted in approximately £42,767,234 given to institutions in the United States and Canada and nearly £3,000,000 for around 150 institutions in the United Kingdom. Presently, Mr Carnegie has several hundred applications for aid under consideration.

Among the towns that have benefited from Mr Carnegie’s philanthropy in Great Britain are Glasgow, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Dundee, Dunblane, Paisley, Aberdeen, Coatbridge, Leicester, Ayr, Dumfries, Partick, Eastbourne, East Ham, Keighley, and Wolverhampton, among others. Moreover, Mr Carnegie has been very generous to London and its suburbs, as well as to various towns in Ireland. In total, he has gifted London with £118,500, although Marylebone notably refused his £30,000 offer.

Several Irish towns have received support from Mr Carnegie, including Belfast, Cork, Fermoy, Limerick, Londonderry, and Waterford. Additionally, Mr Carnegie has offered £10,000 for the provision of free libraries in the Radcliffe-cum-Farnworth division of South-East Lancashire, with the Radcliffe District Council still considering the offer.

However, Wandsworth Borough Council has refrained from seeking help from Mr Carnegie, stating their capability to establish a library by themselves.

By continually supporting the establishment and growth of libraries and educational institutions, Mr Carnegie has contributed significantly to the betterment of the communities he has aided. His generous contributions have inspired many and set a standard for philanthropy globally.

Cheltenham Chronicle – Saturday 16 May 1903