 Blaine 's biographers describe his childhood as " harmonious " , and note that the boy took an early interest in history and literature . At the age of thirteen , Blaine enrolled in his father 's alma mater , Washington College ( now Washington & Jefferson College ) , in nearby Washington , Pennsylvania . There , he was a member of the Washington Literary Society , one of the college 's debating societies . Blaine succeeded academically , graduating near the top of his class and delivering the <unk> address in June 1847 . After graduation , Blaine considered attending law school at Yale Law School , but ultimately decided against it , instead moving west to find a job . 
