Thomas Scott: Master of Mentoring

Thomas A. Scott was an American businessman and railroad executive. He was the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad between 1874 and 1880. Later, Pennsylvania Railroad became one of the world’s largest public companies. His investment in the railroad sector was significant in that it gave Scott the opportunity to take a leading role in the creation of the Compromise of 1877 which ended federal interventions and civil rights efforts during the Reconstruction Era in the South. Scott also served in the American Civil War as Assistant Secretary of War.

In 1850, Scott started his career with the Pennsylvania Railroad as station agent. He was promoted to general superintendent in 1858. He mentored some of the aspiring employees in the company, among them was Andrew Carnegie. Under the tutelage of Scott, Carnegie learned the basics of railroading, management and investment. It was said that this association played a huge impact in the success of Carnegie in iron and steel in later years.

From being the vice president of Pennsylvania Railroad, Scott assumed the presidency in 1874 following the death of the president and friend, J. Edgar Thomson. With Scott at the helm of the company, Pennsylvania Railroad evolved from being a railway liner in the 1840s through the 1850s to a huge transportation empire in the 1960s and onwards.