Harper, William Rainey

1856 – He was born on the 26th day of July of this year in New Concord, Ohio, USA. Very early in life, Harper displayed skills years ahead of other children his age and was labeled a prodigy.

1864 – At a young age, he began preparing for college level courses; at the age of ten he enrolled in Muskingum College in his native New Concord, Ohio; and at the age of fourteen he graduated from Muskingum.

1872 – This year, Harper enrolled in Yale University to begin his post graduate studies, which he completed in 1876.

1891 - At the age of thirty-five, John D. Rockefeller selected Harper to assist in the organization of the University of Chicago, and shortly thereafter, Harper was named its first President.

1906 – He died of cancer on the 10th day of January of this year at age 49. William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Illinois is named for him. There is also an elementary school in Cleveland, Ohio named after him.