Schools, School-Books and Schoolmasters: A Contribution to the History of Educational Development in Great Britain

"Schools, School-Books and Schoolmasters" by William Carew Hazlitt is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work reflects on the development of the educational system in Great Britain, exploring the history of schooling, educational materials, and the figures who shaped teaching practices. Hazlitt aims to trace the roots of modern education, highlighting various historical methods and attitudes towards learning. The opening of the book provides a preface where Hazlitt sets the tone for his exploration of educational history, clarifying that the following content does not seek to cover every aspect exhaustively but rather to present significant examples. He highlights the influence of early educational settings, including the Church and the role of early schoolmasters. The text begins by surveying the foundations of the educational system, noting how early English and Scots were educated within their homes and by traveling abroad, while also emphasizing the impact of various artists and scholars who contributed to educational reforms over the centuries.