Wirth's mother strongly supported her children's education. When Wirth finished grade school, his mother arranged for her brother, Isaac Lorig, to take Wirth and his older sister, Flora, to the United States where her four brothers lived so they could continue their education. In 1911 Wirth and his sister moved to Omaha, Nebraska to live with Emanuel Lorig and his family. There they learned English and went to high school. Wirth worked in his uncle's dry goods store. This uncle expected him to help with the business once he graduated from high school. Instead, Wirth won a regional scholarship to the University of Chicago and went to college.
Sociological Training
Wirth began his college career as a pre-medical student, but soon realized he was more interested in sociology. At that time the famous "Chicago school" of sociology was just beginning. Wirth was educated by the founders of this classical school--Albion Small, W.I. Thomas, Robert Park, Ernest Burgess, and George Mead. They developed a particular approach to urban sociology, focusing especially on immigration and assimilation, that strongly shaped Wirth's academic career. Wirth embraced the city of Chicago and took advantage of the cultural, educational, and political resources that it had to offer.
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