Cyrus Hall McCormick II

Biography

Cyrus Hall McCormick II, born in 1859, continued the McCormick family’s pioneering work in agricultural machinery while also cultivating a deep appreciation for culture and education. He worked to expand the company’s reach, invest responsibly, and ensure that the innovations that fed the nation remained in trustworthy hands.

Beyond industry, Cyrus supported museums, libraries, and colleges, believing that a thriving society requires both mechanical mastery and artistic reflection. His philanthropy reflected a desire to invest in minds as much as machines, and his generosity helped Chicago become a place of both invention and refinement.