Albert G. Lane | |
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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 | Galewood, Illinois, US | March 15, 1841
Died | August 22, 1906 Chicago, Illinois, US | (aged 65)
Resting place | Rosehill Cemetery |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | 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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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 a district superintendent, which he accepted. [2] [13] He held this position until his death in August 1906. [7]
In 1893, the National Education Association elected Lane as its president. [2] Lane also served a tenure as president of the Illinois State Teachers' Association. [5]
Lane served as a trustee of the YMCA. [2]
In July 1878, Lane married Francis Smallwood. [2] Together they had two children. [2]
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]
He was buried at Rosehill Cemetery.
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]