Cyrus McCormick

February 15, 1809 – May 13, 1884

Inventor & Philanthropist

Feeding the world and funding the gospel

Biography

American inventor of the mechanical reaper, which revolutionized agriculture and helped feed growing populations. Founded the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company (later International Harvester).

Faith & Testimony

McCormick was a devout Presbyterian who gave generously to churches and theological seminaries. He was a major benefactor of what became McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. He saw his inventions as a way to serve God by serving humanity's need for food.

Sources

McCormick — Wikipedia — Inventor of the mechanical reaper
Cyrus McCormick: Presbyterian Industrialist and Philanthropist — McCormick was a devout Presbyterian who gave generously to churches, seminaries, and missions — he funded the seminary that became McCormick Theological Seminary
Cyrus Hall McCormick: His Life and Work — Herbert N. Casson — Biography covering McCormick's Presbyterian faith and how it motivated both his business ethics and his extensive philanthropy