In 1899, Anita McCormick Blaine endowed the Chicago Institute,
a teacher training program under the leadership
of Francis Parker, with $1 million. Parker brought this school and faculty to the University of
Chicago. Blaine stipulated that Parker be head of the elementary school, and Dewey head of the high
school.
Anita McCormick Blaine was the daughter of Cyrus McCormick, who invented the McCormick reaper.
Blaine Hall, built 1901-1903, was named after Emmons Blaine, Anita McCormick Blaine's deceased husband.
Source: Experiencing Education, William Harms and Ida DePencier
