William Rainey Harper (July 24, 1856 – January 10, 1906) was an American academic leader, an accomplished semiticist, and Baptist clergyman.

[2] Very early in his life, Harper displayed skills years ahead of other children of his age, and he was labeled a child prodigy.

Harper also had expert knowledge of every department of education as well as business acumen, and he was a very powerful public speaker.

Harper elevated the salaries of the faculty members above those of ordinary schoolteachers, and by doing so attracted the best scholars of all disciplines to the university.

He also instituted the nation's first extension school, enabling those who worked during the day to attend classes at night and on weekends.

Harper is also attributed with first organizing the academic quarter system on behalf of John D. Rockefeller in 1891.

[6] With his background as a Semiticist and Baptist clergyman, Harper believed that the University's programs should include religious study.

Accordingly, he arranged for the Baptist Theological Union Seminary to relocate from Morgan Park and become the University of Chicago Divinity School.