Albert G. Lane
Albert G. Lane | |
---|---|
6th Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools | |
In office December 1891 – July 13, 1898 | |
Preceded by | George C. Howland |
Succeeded by | Elisha Andrews |
Cook County Superintendent of Public Instruction | |
In office December 1877 – December 1891 | |
Preceded by | C. D. Plant |
Succeeded by | O.T. Bright[1] |
In office December 1869 – December 1873 | |
Preceded by | John F. Eberhart[2] |
Succeeded by | C. D. Plant[3] |
Personal details | |
Born | March 15, 1841 Galewood, Illinois |
Died | August 22, 1906 (age 65) Chicago, Illinois |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Frances Smallwood |
Children | 2 |
Albert Grannis Lane[4] (March 15, 1841 – August 22, 1906), was an American educator who served as superintendent of Chicago Public Schools, Cook County superintendent of public instruction, and president of the National Education Association.
Lane was a nationally respected educator,[2] and was described in obituary articles in newspapers across the United States as, "one of the most widely known educators in the West".[5][6]
Early life[]
Lane was born on March 15, 1841, in Galewood, Illinois (an area later annexed by Chicago).[2][4] Soon after his birth, his family moved into Chicago's city limits.[2]
In 1858, Lane graduated in Chicago's first-ever high school graduating class from the city's first high school, Chicago High School.[2]
Principal of Franklin School[]
Upon his graduation from high school, at the age of 18, Lane was named principal of Franklin School. He is the youngest principal in the history of Chicago Public Schools.[2][4] He served as principal for ten years, until 1868.[2][7]
Cook County superintendent of public instruction[]
Lane served two tenures as Cook County superintendent of public instruction.[2] He served as a Republican.[8] He was credited with making a number of innovations while in this position.[4]
In 1869, Lane was first elected to the position.[8]
Amid the panic of 1873, Franklin Bank, where he had deposited $33,000 of school funds, had failed.[2] He sold off most of his personal property to help make up for this loss and continued to pay the school over the next nineteen years principal and interest amounting to $45,000 to make up for this financial loss which had occurred on his watch.[2][7] Amid the political turbulence of 1873, Lane lost reelection, and left office as superintendent.[2][8][7]
In the interregnum between his terms as county superintendent, Lane worked as a cashier at the Preston, Kean & Co's bank.[7]
Lane again served as superintendent from 1877 through December 1891.[2][7] He was elected in 1877. After, in order to move elections to even years, terms were shifted, the board formally elected Lane to serve a year-long term from 1881 until 1882.[9] He won popular elections in 1882,[10] 1886,[11] and 1890.[12]
The county superintendent was an ex officio member of the Cook County Board of Education. In this role, Lane was a key player in bringing in Francis Wayland Parker to lead the Cook County Normal School.[2] In a matter of years, Parker's leadership elevated the institution to international prominence.[2] Lane gave Parker his support, even amid challenging times.[2]
Lane resigned as county superintendent in December 1891, in order to assume the position of superintendent of Chicago Public Schools.[2][7]
Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools[]
In December 1891, Lane began what became be a seven-year tenure as superintendent of Chicago Public Schools.[2]
Lane found his tenure challenging, with city politicians regularly interfering with school affairs.[2] Additionally, Lane's plans for the schools were greeted with a lack of support.[2] During his challenging tenure, Lane's, previously strong, health began to decline.[2]
District superintendent of Chicago Public Schools[]
On July 13, 1898, the Chicago Board of Education voted to appoint President of Brown University Elisha Andrews as superintendent, instead of having Lane to continue as superintendent.[2][13] However, they did vote to make Lane district superintendent, which he accepted.[2][13] He held this position until his death in August 1906.[7]
Other roles[]
In 1893, the National Education Association elected Lane as its president.[2] Lane also served a tenure as president of the .[5]
Lane served as a trustee of the YMCA.[2]
Personal life[]
In July 1878, Lane married Francis Smallwood.[2] Together they had two children.[2]
Lane was a Methodist.[2]
Death[]
Having been in failing health for an extended period of time, Lane died at the age of 65 on August 22, 1906, at his Chicago residence.[5][7] His death was attributed to nervous prostration, which was exacerbated by intense heat that the city was experiencing.[5][14]
Legacy[]
Lane Tech College Prep High School, named for Lane, was founded to fulfill his vision of a large high school that would be dedicated to both providing students with hands-on experience in technical education and improving their academics.[4]
References[]
- ^ "About the Normal School". Newspapers.com. The Inter Ocean (Chicago). 11 Dec 1891. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Bright, Orville T. (December 1906). "Albert G. Lane (1841-1906)". The Elementary School Teacher. 7 (4): 177–181. doi:10.1086/453614.
- ^ "The County Officers". Newspapers.com. Chicago Evening Post. 29 Nov 1873. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "History". Lane Tech College Prep. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Albert Lane Dies in Chicago of Nervous Prostration". Newspapers.com. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 22 Aug 1906. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ "Educator Albert Lane Dead". Newspapers.com. Fort Scott Tribune and The Fort Scott Monitor (Fort Scoot, Kansas). 25 Aug 1906. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Albert G. Lane". Newspapers.com. The Inter Ocean (Chicago). 24 Aug 1906. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ a b c "Local Politics". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. 24 Oct 1877. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ "The County-Building". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. 29 Nov 1881. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Canvassing the Vote-Returns on Smith and Orendorff". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. 16 Nov 1882. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Illinois Official County Returns". Newspapers.com. The Inter Ocean (Chicago). 6 Nov 1886.
- ^ "Gilbert A Winner". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. 5 Nov 1890. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Andrews Is Chosen". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. 14 Jul 1898. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ "A. G. Lane, Noted Educator, Dies After Breakdown". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. 23 Aug 1906. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
External links[]
- Superintendents of Chicago Public Schools
- 1841 births
- 1906 deaths
- American school principals
- 19th-century American educators
- 20th-century American educators
- Illinois Republicans
- American Methodists
- National Education Association people