The Memoir of Horace Mann

Horace Mann

Horace Mann, born in 1796, was born into a life of poverty. He pursued the career as a lawyer and legislator in Massachusetts, which means he was able to see life from both classes. This is one of his many reasons for taking an active role in the education reform. He was not able to join a school until the age of twenty because of his financial situation. This was the motive that led him to suggest that public schools should be paid by tax money. Because of this profession, he naturally desired to fight for what he believed was necessary.

In his opinion, the basis of political stability and social harmony relies on education. If people do not know basic information and morals, they cannot live a proper life. With these beliefs, he was the perfect person to become the Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education. This position allowed him to be influential in the public school debates. Of course, there amount of people who were against his ideas was substantial, but he also had a large group of supporters.

Many people protested the fact that they have to pay for other people’s kids to get an education. However, as voting requirements were changing, younger people could vote. With their votes, the education reformation was quickly thrown into motion. Logically, the younger people who are being offered this education are not going to turn down a free opportunity,

Mann quickly came up with six principles of education. The first one was that citizens can not have ignorance and freedom. Secondly, education should be paid for and maintained by the public. Third, children of various backgrounds should be accepted, not just people of the caucasian race. As a fourth idea, Horace said that education should be non sectarian. Fifth, there should be free locations in which can be used for learning. Finally, the educators should be well-trained and prepared for the job. These ideas angered many groups, from politician to the common people, but his ideas still prevailed.

Mann also strongly believed in the idea that children of all classes should be taught together, allowing a feeling of equality that he lacked throughout his childhood. Most of the other reforms occurring during this time period created a bigger gap between social classes where Horace wanted to do the opposite. With these schools, all kids could develop character outside of their home.

With all of his efforts, he became known as the “Father of Education”. Without Horace Mann, we would not have the education systems that we have today. He made a secular impact with his intellectual ideas and concepts. From proper educators to positive learning environments, he changed everything about how learning and education was seen in his era. Without him, the world would never be the same.