Edwin Abbott

Transcription

1 Edwin Abbott

2 Queen Victoria Queen of GB and Ireland Empress of India

3 Literature of thevictorian Age Communist Manifesto 1848, trans Origin of the Species

4 Literature of thevictorian Age Alice in Wonderland Sherlock Holmes 1865 appears 1884 Google Books Image Charles Dickens

5 Edwin Abbott attends City of London School attends St. John s, Cambridge /2 marries M.E. Rangeley Google Books Image ordained in the CoE

6 Headmaster at CLS

7 1914 Tombstone

8 Edwin Abbott mathematics education as a student at CLS (1850-7) Abbott spent 1/3 of each day studying math Mathematics and not classics was our strong point, and under the pressure of our eccentric mathematical master, who must have been partially mad from the beginning and whom the treatment by his pupils probably made still madder, we covered more ground in mathematics than was ever attempted (as far as I know) in any English school before or since. All alike were forced through the mill of higher mathematics, with the result that several of our pupils took high mathematical degrees at Cambridge, while the majority had their education injured or spoiled. Abbott Autobiography

9 Edwin Abbott mathematics education Took the mathematical Tripos at Cambridge in January, (3 days) 3 days for part I, then a 10 day break, then part II. H. Candler was 16th wrangler in W. Aldis was senior wrangler in Abbott was 7th senior optimé. (2nd class honours) Classical Tripos taken 1 month after Math. Tripos. Consisted of 11 3-hr sessions over 6 days Abbott was the Senior Classic and 1st Chancellor s medallist. Aldis was S.W. and First Smith s Prizeman

10 Edwin Abbott on education Hints on Home Teaching 2nd edition 1883 The increased educational opportunities now afforded to girls and women justify the belief that in the next generation mothers will take a large part in the teaching and training of the young, at all events in the middle classes; and, even where parents have not the leisure of the desire to superintend in detail the studies of their intellectual as well as their moral future... To enable parents thus to contribute to the training of their children is one of the objects of this treatise.

11 a la Jonathan Swift s A Modest Proposal I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members... [should] have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation....

12 a la Jonathan Swift s A Modest Proposal... The question therefore is, How this number shall be reared, and provided for?... I shall now humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection. I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stwed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.

13 a la Jonathan Swift s A Modest Proposal... I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.

14 Women in Victorian England (see Daily Life of Victorian Women by Lydia Murdoch) Coverture 1839 Custody of Infants Act 1864 Contagious Diseases Act 1869 women could vote in local elections 1873 custody rights expanded 1878 Physically abused wives may appeal to local police 1882 Married Women s Property Act 1883 CDA suspended 1895 rights expanded 1928 universal suffrage Caroline Norton (image from Wikipedia)