Únase a getAbstract para acceder al resumen.

Mellon

Únase a getAbstract para acceder al resumen.

Mellon

An American Life

Knopf,

15 mins. de lectura
10 ideas fundamentales
Texto disponible

¿De qué se trata?

The secret lives of a famous capitalist, Secretary of the Treasury, philanthropist, art-collector and scandalized cuckold.

Editorial Rating

8

Recommendation

You will savor this account of the tumultuous life of Andrew Mellon, an arrogant turn-of-the-last-century industrialist and millionaire. He was torn to tatters by a scandalous divorce and, later, by opposing politicians. However, he transcended those humiliations by establishing the lavish National Art Gallery just before he died. "Andy" Mellon's life (1855-1937) stretched across critical years when the U.S. was transformed from an appendage of Europe to a superpower. His work as treasury secretary was held in such esteem that the Republican Party considered running him for president. However, even given his role as head of the Treasury, Mellon could not curtail the 1920s margin-buying stock market mania that led to the 1929 crash and the Great Depression. He is mostly remembered for the National Art Gallery and for his sex-scandal divorce fight. David Cannadine offers a highly readable biography, which is very balanced though Mellon's son, Paul, commissioned it. However, some readers may decide to skim through the extensive coverage of the politicized "Tax Trial," and Andy's ordinary trade in minor art and small firms. getAbstract highly recommends this extraordinary saga.

Summary

The Rise of the Mellon Clan

Andrew Mellon came from a Scotch immigrant family. His father, Thomas Mellon, seemed destined to become just a Pennsylvania farmer, but he broke the mold. Fired with ambition, Thomas became enamored of the idea of becoming very wealthy. He admired the values of Benjamin Franklin, whose Autobiography he studied. After his early schooling, Thomas spent several years doing classical studies at Western University. Then, he entered "the tricky and dishonest profession" of practicing law in Pittsburgh. He got swept up in mortgages, foreclosures and other real-estate matters. He married a local heiress and became very rich on his own.

Born in 1855, Andrew Mellon (often called Andy or simply A.M.) was the third son (of eight children) of this well-off, Presbyterian, Republican couple. Their hometown, the City of Steel, was then the 16th largest U.S. city and growing in importance. Pittsburgh produced steel, coke and metal parts, and was destined to grow larger through its Civil War contributions to the North. As it grew, the Mellons got richer. In 1859, Thomas was named a judge. His sons were taught at home, and were not allowed to read...

About the Author

British historian David Cannadine spent 12 years preparing this definitive biography. He has written other histories and co-authored The Pursuit of Glory: Europe 1648-1815.

Comment on this summary