Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Cyrus McCormick
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Cyrus McCormick McCormick reaper
How the McCormick reaper changed farming forever
At a Glance
Cyrus McCormick
Cyrus Hall McCormick summary
Related Questions
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Cyrus McCormick
Cyrus McCormick Cyrus McCormick.

Cyrus McCormick

American industrialist and inventor
Also known as: Cyrus Hall McCormick
Written by
Mitchell Wilson
Science writer and novelist. Author of American Science and Invention.
Mitchell Wilson
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

Cyrus McCormick (born February 15, 1809, Rockbridge county, Virginia, U.S.—died May 13, 1884, Chicago, Illinois) was an American industrialist and inventor who is generally credited with the development (from 1831) of the mechanical reaper. McCormick was the eldest son of Robert McCormick—a farmer, blacksmith, and inventor. McCormick’s education, in local schools, was limited. Reserved, determined, and serious-minded, he spent all of his time in his father’s workshop. The elder McCormick had invented several practical farm...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile