William Rainey Harper

Who was William Rainey Harper?

William Rainey Harper was one of the leading American academic leaders of the late 19th century and the early 20th century. Harper helped to establish both the University of Chicago and Bradley University, and he served as the first presidents of both institutions.

Harper was born on July 26, 1856, in New Concord, Ohio, Harper's parents were of Irish-Scottish ancestry. Very early in his life, Harper displayed skills years ahead of other children of his age, and he was labeled a child prodigy. By the age of eight, Harper began preparing for college-level courses. At the age of ten he enrolled in Muskingum College in his native New Concord, Ohio. At the age of fourteen, he graduated from Muskingum College. In 1872, Harper enrolled in Yale University to begin his postgraduate studies, and he completed these in 1876. Harper quickly assumed a series of faculty positions, including ones at Denison University and Yale University. Throughout his academic life, Harper wrote numerous textbooks. A strong supporter of lifelong learning, Harper was also involved with the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, and its academic programs starting in 1883.