New Concord in Muskingum County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Birthplace of William Rainey Harper

1856-1906

William Rainey Harper Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 10, 2006

1. William Rainey Harper Marker

Inscription.
This log house, constructed by blacksmith Joseph McKinney, was the birthplace of William Rainey Harper. The son of Scotch-Irish settlers, Harper graduated from Muskingum College at the age of 14, giving his valedictory address in Hebrew. A gifted scholar, Harper earned a Ph.D. in Semitic languages from Yale University at the age of 19. He was a nationally-known Biblical scholar, lecturer and author. Harper's vision of higher education led him to found the University of Chicago, a European-style university committed to freedom of intellectual inquiry. His views were shared by John D. Rockefeller who financed the institution. Harper served as president of the University of Chicago from 1891 until his death in 1906.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 39° 59.612′ N, 81° 44.096′ W. Marker is in New Concord, Ohio, in Muskingum County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 40) and College Drive, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 W Main St, New Concord OH 43762, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Robert Francis Harper (a few steps from this marker); New Concord War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); New Concord (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named New Concord (within shouting distance of this marker); The New Concord Underground Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Concord.

Also see . . .
1. Reconsidering William Rainey Harper as "Father of the Junior College". The Free Library website entry (Submitted on April 20, 2006.)

2. William R. Harper's Elements of Hebrew by an Inductive Method. Internet Archive copy of the 1921 book (Submitted on April 20, 2006.)

William Rainey Harper image. Click for full size.

J.E. Purdy (photo courtesy of the Library of Congress), 1903

2. William Rainey Harper

The Harper Log House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 10, 2006

3. The Harper Log House

This marker can be seen to the right of the door.

<i>Birthplace of Wm. Rainey Harper, (Muskingum College), New Concord, Ohio, on National Highway</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard by the Enterprise Cooperative Co., circa 1935

4. Birthplace of Wm. Rainey Harper, (Muskingum College), New Concord, Ohio, on National Highway

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,365 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 20, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on December 21, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3. submitted on April 20, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on January 23, 2015.