Education: Wish Granted

The father didn't know what to do with his obstreperous teen-aged son—until he spotted the poster announcing a new sort of school. The school taught only one subject; it had only one teacher and only one classroom on the seventh floor of a dingy Chicago office building. But that day in 1896, the father entered his son just the same. He wanted the teacher, he said, to give his boy "personal attention."

Irish-born Teacher John Gregg had no alternative but to carry out the father's wishes: the boy happened to be his first and only pupil. Six months later, he was also...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!