Educating the Child in Enlightenment Britain

This collection challenges traditional educational histories by exploring diverse practices and beliefs in Educating the Child in Enlightenment Britain, highlighting the complexity of cultural transmission.

This interdisciplinary collection offers a fresh perspective on the history of education during the long eighteenth century, challenging traditional narratives. Educating the Child in Enlightenment Britain delves into the intricate beliefs and methodologies that shaped cultural transmission to youth during this transformative period. By broadening the definition of education, the contributors reveal the tenuous foundation of some historical assumptions, particularly regarding girls' education in domestic spaces. Evidence from women's diaries and letters uncovers a more rigorous intellectual upbringing than previously recognized, suggesting that home environments played a crucial role in education.

The essays encompass a diverse range of topics, including the contrast between private and public education, the educational initiatives of figures like Hannah More, and the contributions of women schoolteachers. The role of diplomats in educating boys during the Grand Tour, as well as the impact of English Jesuit education and eighteenth-century print culture, are also explored. Additionally, the book examines education in Ireland and the use of teaching aids in early nineteenth-century infant schools, highlighting the complexities of children's literature in educational settings.

Educating the Child in Enlightenment Britain serves as an enlightening exploration of the varied educational practices in Britain. It emphasizes the multifaceted cultural and social contexts in which young people were educated, revealing significant disparities between educational principles and actual practices throughout the period.