PREFACE TO REVISED EDITION THIS book aims to realize, in respect to its subject, the ideal of the series of volumes to which it belongs. From an important point of view, the history of great educators is a history of education itself. Books dealing with such men, when written on this plan, are not only biographies, but comprehensive, although concise, accounts of the great educational movements with which the men are identified. In other words, the single purpose of this book is to set before the reader Horace Mann as an educator, in his historical position and relations. Everything is made to bend to this central idea. The work is therefore double Horace Mann and his Historical Environment. It seeks primarily to tell the story of Mann's life and labors. simply and clearly, but in a manner to utilize some part, at least, of the great motive power with which his life is charged. The material for the life, or story proper, has been drawn mainly, but not exclusively, from the Life and Works of Horace Mann, five volumes, Boston, 1891. Mrs. Mann's Life, which is Vol. I. of the Life and Works, abounds in extracts from his letters and diaries, and also contains many letters and extracts from letters written to him. It is to a great extent a book of original materials, and its value is largely due to this fact. In some parts of the present vi PREFACE TO REVISED EDITION work, and particularly in Chapter III., Mr. Mann's own language is often used with little change beyond what is necessary to transfer the narrative from the first person to the third person. This has seemed better than to load the pages with formal quotations. Mrs. Mann's work is commonly referred to simply as The Life. Some facts have been furnished by Mr. George C. Mann, of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, son of Horace Mann. For this courtesy, and other valuable assistance that he has cheerfully rendered, the author extends to Mr. Mann his grateful acknowledgments. Much care has been bestowed upon the historical setting of the story proper; the sources of information here drawn upon other than The Life are formally indicated in foot-notes. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, May 20, 1899. B. A. HINSDALE. |