Education is a BIG topic. I'll try to hit the high points, especially those that pertain to my novel, but needless to say it will be a drop on a drop in the bucket of information that is out there on this subject. In order to keep this a reasonable size post, I plan to break it into subparts. Let's start with boys born to the wealthy.
The best way to talk about this subject is education based on classes and gender. The differences in education at each level of social standing varied quite a bit. Although there were certain forms of public education, it wasn't available everywhere or to everyone and the information taught was given out on pretty much a need to know basis. Let's scratch this surface shall we?
The wealthy had several choices when it came to the education of their sons. Let's look at some of those choices.
Tutors
"Upper-class families often hired tutors to educate their sons. Much of the aristocracy believed that schools "were sinks of iniquity, where boys learned nothing but a smattering of Horace and very gross, unpolished manners." Thus, it was generally thought preferable to have a young man educated in the home until he was ready to attend a university. Tutors were either parish incumbents or young men leaving college. They were paid well and treated with respect. Tutors taught reading, writing, Greek and math. They also assisted the family in teaching the young gentlemen manners, social graces, and proper decorum with servants."
Great Public Schools
I'm going to mention this, but I didn't go into this in my novel. It's just interesting.
"The typical great public school—such as Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Westminster, Rugby, Shrewsbury, or Charterhouse—evolved from an institution founded by a single benefactor during the late Middle Ages or Renaissance. Such charitable foundations, almost invariably for males only, had usually been intended to educate local boys from relatively humble backgrounds. From about the 17th century the upper classes took increasing advantage of the tuition afforded by these foundations. As pupils paying the market rate became more numerous, the schools were increasingly transformed into boarding establishments."
"If a young upper-class gentleman did go to school, he usually went to either Eaton or Westminster. The curiculum at these institutions often included: classical studies, writing, arithmetic, Euclid, Greek history, Pope, and antiquities. Westminster commenced instruction at six o'clock in the morning, whereas Eton began at the later hour of eight o'clock in the morning. They studied until eight in the evening with plenty of breaks for meals and recreation."
Higher Education
The two Universities that were attended most by the young men from wealthy families, were Oxford and Cambridge. Here is a little history about these institutions:
The University of Oxford
"The 18th century, when Oxford was said to have forsaken port for politics, was also an era of scientific discovery and religious revival. Edmund Halley, Professor of Geometry, predicted the return of the comet that bears his name; John and Charles Wesley's prayer meetings laid the foundations of the Methodist Society."
Just for the fun of it...
"The University has also a pretty impressive alumni including 58 Nobel prize winners (who have either studied or taught at Oxford), 27 British prime ministers, famous writers including Lewis Carroll, J. R. R. Tolkien, Philip Larkin, Vikram Seth and W. H. Auden, along with actors such as Michael Palin, Hugh Grant and Kate Beckinsale. Oxford has also produced at least 12 saints and 20 Archbishops of Canterbury."
The University of Cambridge
"The history of the University of Cambridge is closely tied to its no. 1 rival, the University of Oxford...When a number of Oxford scholars were forced to leave following disputes with the local townspeople, a number of them went to Cambridge and established a new school in 1209. Cambridge went on to be one of the best, most influential universities in the world."
"In 1728 it was estimated that the population of Cambridge was 6,179. (There were also 1,599 inhabitants of the university). By the standards of the time Cambridge was a fair sized town.
Cambridge continued to develop during the 18th century. The first newspaper in Cambridge appeared in 1744....In the early 18th century Daniel Defoe said of Cambridge: 'the trade of the town very much depends on them (the colleges) and the tradesmen may be said to get their bread by the colleges, and this is the surest hold the university may be said to have of the townsmen and by which they secure the dependence of the town and consequently their submission.'"
(The list of the University of Cambridge notable alumni is pretty long, but if you are interested follow this link.)
Well, that's all I have this time. I know it is a tremendous amount of information, but I hope it gives you a better idea of what the education for the boy and young men of the wealthy looked like back in the 18th century in England.
Have a great week and may the Lord God bless you and your family with faith, hope and love.
In Christ,
Sandy
P.S. Today is my Anniversary! My husband and I have been married for 30 years! I love you, Carlos! Happy Anniversary! 💓💕💗
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Interesting information, Sandy! I have definitely heard of Oxford and Cambridge! By the way, Happy Anniversary!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Before I started researching this, I never would have imagined those universities would have been around so long.
DeleteI enjoyed the read
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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