|
|
Horace Mann, father of American Public School Education
Horace Mann was born in Franklin, Massachusetts, in 1796. The Mann family lived in a rural area on farm land and educational opportunities were not readily available for the young Horace Mann, he would attend classes for short periods several times a year and his pattern for attendance was irregular. Because of his situation he disciplined himself with self education. His hard work paid off and in 1816 he enrolled at Brown University and later Litchfield Law School to study Law. Mann developed a political career holding a seat in the State Legislature in 1827 and the Senate in 1833 maintaing his law practice throughout the duration. In 1837 Mann gave up his law practice to accept the newly created post of Secretary of Education. It was here that Mann would be able to break new ground on his favorite cause, Public Education. He believed there was an integral relationship between education, freedom, and Republican government. "But if such a Republic be devoid of intelligence Such a Republic, with all its noble capacities for beneficence, will rush with the speed of a whirlwind to an ignominious end; and all good men of after-times would be fain to weep over its downfall, did not their scorn and contempt at its folly and its wickedness, repress all sorrow for its fate." He felt a common school was the birthright for all children and should be available and equal for all regardless of race, class or SEX. His theory was common schools would broaden intellegence and as a result crime would decline. He saw education as a "wellspring" of freedom and a "ladder of opportunity" for millions. Under the leadership of Mann the first public normal school was opened in Lexington in 1839. Mann was able to set the first standard 6 month school year and put new life into a 1827 law establishing High Schools and open 50 during his tenure. Mann's persuit for good education was not one sided, he led the movement to establish teacher institutions. In 1848 Mann left his postion as Secretary of Education to serve in the House of Representatives and then took the position as President of Antioch College in 1852 and was there till his death in 1859. In his final address to the graduating class Mann stated: " I beseech you to treasure up in your hearts these my parting words: Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for Humanity" |
|
|