Great Entrepreneurs in U.S. History

Eli Whitney is remembered as a great inventor. His cotton gin was one of the most important inventions of the Industrial Revolution, and it did much to shape the course of the American economy. This biographical title explores Whitney's entrepreneurial mind, bringing to life his inventions, innovations, and hardworking spirit. Through accessible language and detailed images, this curriculum-focused title provides an in-depth look at the Industrial Revolution, Whitney's role in it, and how together they helped shape a growing nation. A timeline and primary sources complete a comprehensive learning experience.

The name "J.P. Morgan" may first bring to mind a large American bank, but it's the man behind the bank who's worth studying. Born in 1837, John Pierpont Morgan became one of the world's leading financial minds in the late 19th century. This biographical text explores Morgan's life and accomplishments, including his career in banking and his involvement in the steel industry, General Electric, and International Harvester. Through curriculum-focused text, primary sources, historical photographs, and a timeline, readers gain a full understanding of why Morgan is known as one of the United States' greatest entrepreneurs.

The Hershey Company has been selling chocolate and candies for more than a century. The story of the candy giant begins with the man who gave it is name: Milton Hershey. Born in rural Pennsylvania, Hershey spent years building a business whose sweet legacy continues to delight us today. Readers will love reading Hershey's life story and discovering his influence on the time in which he lived. Written to support elementary social studies curricula, this biographical title provides historical context to Hershey's life and accomplishments. Historical photographs, a timeline, and primary sources provide a comprehensive look why Hershey is considered a great entrepreneur.

Before Madam C.J. Walker launched a line of beauty and hair products for black women, she was Sarah Breedlove, a washerwoman in rural Louisiana. This title presents Walker's fascinating biography, tracing her life from a childhood in poverty to becoming America's first female self-made millionaire. Through accessible text and historical photographs, readers will learn about Walker's entrepreneurial mind and the spirit that allowed her to found a company and launch a successful beauty empire in the unlikeliest of times. This text, through its use of social studies concepts, primary sources, and a comprehensive timeline, is designed to engage readers while supporting classroom learning.

In the 19th century, Cornelius Vanderbilt amassed great wealth through his steamship and railroad ventures. Best remembered for building the New York Central Railroad, Vanderbilt's name has gone down in history as one of the greatest entrepreneurs in U.S. history. Readers will learn why through this biographical text, which uses historical context, detailed photographs, and fundamental social studies concepts to enumerate the details and accomplishments of Vanderbilt's life. A timeline and primary sources provide opportunities for additional learning.

Andrew Carnegie may be one of the most famous names in American history, and his story is nothing short of an inspiration. An immigrant born in Scotland, Carnegie immigrated to the U.S. and became one of the richest industrialists of his day. This biographical text explores Carnegie's fascinating life and his contributions to the steel industry. Through age-appropriate language and historical photos, readers learn how Carnegie's entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic nature helped shaped nineteenth-century American industry and the spirit that came to define it. A timeline and primary sources complete this comprehensive learning experience.