header by Emerson Taymor, 2005
1. The Colonial Era: 1607-1763
2. The Revolutionary Era: 1763-1789
3. The Early National Period: 1789-1824
4. Jacksonian America: 1824-1848
5. Antebellum America: 1848-1860
6. The Civil War Era: 1861-1877
9. The Twenties
10. Depression and New Deal: 1929-1939
14. The Sixties
Benjamin Franklin, Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania (1749)
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It has long been regretted as a Misfortune to the Youth of this Province,
that we have no ACADEMY, in which they might receive the Accomplishments
of a regular Education.
The following Paper of Hints towards forming a Plan for that Purpose, is
so far approv'd by some publick-spirited Gentlemen, to whom it has been
privately communicated, that they have directed a Number of Copies to be
made by the Press, and properly distributed, in order to obtain the Sentiments
and Advice of Men of Learning, Understanding, and Experience in these Matters;
and have determin'd to use their Interest and best Endeavours, to have
the Scheme, when compleated, carried gradually into Execution; in which
they have Reason to believe they shall have the hearty Concurrence and
Assistance of many who are Wellwishers to their Country.
Those who incline to favour the Design with their Advice, either as to
the Parts of Learning to be taught, the Order of Study, the Method of Teaching,
the Oeconomy of the School, or any other Matter of Importance to the Success
of the Undertaking, are desired to communicate their Sentiments as soon
as may be, by Letter directed to B. Franklin, Printer, in Philadelphia.
The good Education of Youth has been esteemed by wise Men in all Ages,
as the surest Foundation of the Happiness both of private Families and
of Common-wealths. Almost all Governments have therefore made it a principal
Object of their Attention, to establish and endow with proper Revenues,
such Seminaries of Learning, as might supply the succeeding Age with Men
qualified to serve the Publick with Honour to themselves, and to their
Country….
It is propos’d
THAT some Persons of Leisure and publick Spirit, apply for a CHARTER, by
which they may be incorporated, with Power to erect an ACADEMY for the
Education of Youth, to govern the same, provide Masters, make Rules,
receive Donations, purchase Lands, &c. and to add to their Number,
from Time to Time such other Persons as they shall judge suitable.
That the Members of the Corporation make it their Pleasure, and in some
Degree their Business, to visit the Academy often, encourage and countenance
the Youth, countenance and assist the Masters, and by all Means in their
Power advance the Usefulness and Reputation of the Design; that they look
on the Students as in some Sort their Children, treat them with Familiarity
and Affection, and when they have behav'd well, and gone through their
Studies, and are to enter the World, zealously unite, and make all the
Interest that can be made to establish them, whether in Business, Offices,
Marriages, or any other Thing for their Advantage, preferably to all other
Persons whatsoever even of equal Merit….
That a House be provided for the ACADEMY, if not in the Town, not many
Miles from it; the Situation high and dry, and if it may be, not far from
a River, having a Garden, Orchard, Meadow, and a Field or two.
That the House be furnished with a Library (if in the Country, if in the
Town, the Town ( Libraries may serve) with Maps of all Countries, Globes,
some mathematical Instruments, and Apparatus for Experiments in Natural
Philosophy, and for Mechanics; Prints, of all Kinds, Prospects, Buildings,
Machines, &etc.
That the RECTOR be a Man of good Understanding, good Morals, diligent and
patient, learn'd in the Languages and Sciences, and a correct pure Speaker
and Writer of the English Tongue; to have such Tutors under him as shall
be necessary….
As to their STUDIES, it would be well if they could be taught every Thing
that is useful, and every Thing that is ornamental: But Art is long, and
their Time is short. It is therefore propos'd that they learn those Things
that are likely to be most useful and most ornamental. Regard being had
to the several Professions for which they are intended.
All should be taught to write a fair Hand, and swift, as that is useful
to All. And with it may be learnt something of Drawing, by Imitation of
Prints, and some of the first Principles of Perspective. Arithmetick, Accounts,
and some of the first Principles of Geometry and Astronomy. The English
Language might be taught by Grammar; in which some of our best Writers,
as Tillotson, Addison, Pope, Algernoon Sidney, Cato's Letters, &c.
should be Classicks: The Stiles principally to be cultivated, being the
clear and the concise. Reading should also be taught, and pronouncing,
properly, distinctly, emphatically; not with an even Tone, which under-does,
nor a theatrical, which over-does Nature….
ANTIENT CUSTOMS, religious and civil, being frequently mentioned in History,
will give Occasion for explaining them; in which the Prints of Medals,
Basso Relievo's, and antient Monuments will greatly assist.
MORALITY, by descanting and making continual Observations on the Causes
of the Rise or Fall of any Man's Character, Fortune, Power mention'd in
History; the Advantages of Temperance, Order, Frugality, Industry, Perseverance,
etc….
While they are reading Natural History, might not a little Gardening, Planting,
Grafting, Inoculating, &etc. be taught and practised; and now and then
Excursions made to the neighbouring Plantations of the best Farmers, their
Methods observ'd and reason'd upon for the Information of Youth. The Improvement
of Agriculture being useful to all, and Skill in it no Disparagement
to any.
The History of Commerce, of the Invention of Arts, Rise of Manufactures,
Progress of Trade, Change of its Seats, with the Reasons, Causes, &c.
may also be made entertaining to Youth, and will be useful to all. And
this, with the Accounts in other History of the prodigious Force and Effect
of Engines and Machines used in War, will naturally introduce a Desire
to be instructed in Mechanicks, and to be inform'd of the Principles of
that Art by which weak Men perform such Wonders, Labour is sav'd, Manufactures
expedited, &c. &c. This will be the Time to show them Prints
of antient and modern Machines, to explain them, to let them be copied,
and to give Lectures in Mechanical Philosophy.
With the whole should be constantly inculcated and cultivated, that Benignity
of Mind, which shows itself in searching for and seizing every Opportunity
to serve and to oblige; and is the Foundation of what is called GOOD BREEDING;
highly useful to the Possessor, and most agreeable to all