Samuel Wilderspin
Encyclopedia
Samuel Wilderspin was an English
educationist known for his pioneering work on infant school
s. His belief was that a child should be encouraged to learn through experience, and to development in feelings as well as intellect. His work provided the model for infant schools in Europe and North America.
Wilderspin was apprenticed as a clerk in the City of London
, but later trained in infant education. He became the master of his own infant school in Spitalfields
, and published On the Importance of Educating the Infant Poor in 1823, based on his experiences there. He began working for the Infant School Society the next year, informing others about his views on education. His approach to schooling as necessary for a socially and morally prepared child was informed by his Swedenborgianism.
Play was an important part of Wilderspin's system of education, and he is credited with the invention of the playground. He also ran a company supplying apparatus for playground activities.
Several hundred schools were founded by Wilderspin throughout the United Kingdom. However, Queen Street School in Barton-upon-Humber
is the only known surviving school built to his designs. It was completed in 1845, and Wilderspin himself taught at the school for several years before retiring in 1848.
His papers are in Senate House Library, University of London
.
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English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
educationist known for his pioneering work on infant school
Infant school
An Infant school is a term used primarily in the United Kingdom for school for children between the ages of four and seven years. It is usually a small school serving a particular locality....
s. His belief was that a child should be encouraged to learn through experience, and to development in feelings as well as intellect. His work provided the model for infant schools in Europe and North America.
Wilderspin was apprenticed as a clerk in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, but later trained in infant education. He became the master of his own infant school in Spitalfields
Spitalfields
Spitalfields is a former parish in the borough of Tower Hamlets, in the East End of London, near to Liverpool Street station and Brick Lane. The area straddles Commercial Street and is home to many markets, including the historic Old Spitalfields Market, founded in the 17th century, Sunday...
, and published On the Importance of Educating the Infant Poor in 1823, based on his experiences there. He began working for the Infant School Society the next year, informing others about his views on education. His approach to schooling as necessary for a socially and morally prepared child was informed by his Swedenborgianism.
Play was an important part of Wilderspin's system of education, and he is credited with the invention of the playground. He also ran a company supplying apparatus for playground activities.
Several hundred schools were founded by Wilderspin throughout the United Kingdom. However, Queen Street School in Barton-upon-Humber
Barton-upon-Humber
Barton-upon-Humber or Barton is a small town and civil parish in North Lincolnshire, England located on the south bank of the Humber Estuary, and at the end of the Humber Bridge. It lies east of Leeds, southwest of Hull and north northeast of the county town of Lincoln...
is the only known surviving school built to his designs. It was completed in 1845, and Wilderspin himself taught at the school for several years before retiring in 1848.
His papers are in Senate House Library, University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
.
External links
- Papers of Samuel Wilderspin in Senate House Library, University of London
- Additional Papers of Samuel Wilderspin in Senate House Library, University of London
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