The historical figure known for the "Gospel of Wealth" is Andrew Carnegie. Published in 1889, Carnegie's essay argued that the affluent have a moral obligation to distribute their wealth for the greater good of society. He believed that the rich should act as stewards of their wealth, using it to benefit others, such as funding libraries, schools, and other public institutions. Carnegie's philosophy emphasized philanthropy over inheritance, promoting the idea that wealth should be actively utilized to address social issues rather than passed down without purpose. His contributions significantly impacted American philanthropy and influenced the approaches of future wealthy individuals toward charitable giving.