Dons and Workers

This book explores the history of adult education in England, highlighting the University of Oxford's pivotal role in shaping social and political thought from late-Victorian liberalism to 20th-century socialism.

Dons and Workers explores the history of adult education in England, particularly its transition from late-Victorian liberalism to 20th-century socialism. The narrative focuses on the University of Oxford, which played a pivotal role in shaping this educational movement. The book highlights how Oxford's involvement not only influenced the structure of adult education but also established a unique set of social and political goals during the early 1900s.

The author, Lawrence Goldman, delves into the relationship between intellectuals and the working class, illustrating how the adult education movement facilitated connections between prominent liberal and socialist thinkers and the working populace. Through the experiences of notable figures such as T.H. Green, Arnold Toynbee, and R.H. Tawney, the book reveals how these interactions contributed to the evolution of political ideas and social movements over the past century and a half.

Furthermore, Goldman examines the internal political dynamics within working-class adult education and its impact on the labour movement. By doing so, Dons and Workers not only contributes to the understanding of the intellectual and political history of modern England but also challenges the perception of Oxford as merely an elitist institution. Instead, it presents a more nuanced view of its significant influence on broader societal changes throughout the nation.