1. Horace Mann “The Father of Common School”

2. Who is Horace Mann? • Birth: May 4,1796 • Death: August 2, 1859 • Hometown: Franklin, Massachusetts • Mann grew up in Rev. Dr. Nathanial Emmons’ Calvinist-based congregational church, but when his brother Stephen drowned, Mann, who was fourteen at the time, began preaching about descending into hell, a fate that awaited unconverted souls • From there, Mann renounced his Calvinist beliefs and set out to live a life believing in God’s benevolence and fair treatment

3. Who is Horace Mann? Cont. • Education: Attended and graduated from both Brown University of Providence Rhode Island and Litchfield Law School in Litchfield, Connecticut • After graduating from these two schools, Horace Mann moved to Dedham, Massachusetts in 1823, began practicing law, and joined the First Unitarian Parish Church of Dedham • During the years 1827 to 1832, Mann served successfully on the Massachusetts Legislature • In 1830, Horace Mann married Charlotte whose father was the President of Brown University; unfortunately, she died two years after their marriage

4. Mann’s Work as a Reformer: Education • At the end of his third year on the Massachusetts Senate, Mann, in 1837, ended his career as a senator and joined the Massachusetts Board of Education as a Secretary • Standards Changed During Mann’s Period of Service: • Fund increases for schools • The effective training of teachers • Implementing a better school curriculum • The grading of students based upon their age • Lengthening of the school year • Advocated for the end of corporal punishment, the use of whips and rods to punish children, in public schools

5. Work as a Reformer:Improving the Lives of the Common Man • “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.“- Horace Mann • Work as an Abolitionist: • In 1848 Horace Mann was elected to Congress and replaced the deceased John Quincy Adams • During his term, he engaged himself deeply in the fight against slavery • Work for the Mentally Ill: • During the time he served on the Massachusetts Legislature, Mann was the fundamental key in getting an asylum built for the mentally ill in Worcester

6. Bibliography • http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/horacemann.html • http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/horace.html • http://www.nd.edu/~rbarger/www7/mann.html • http://www.phd.antioch.edu/Pages/horacemann • http://www.msp.umb.edu/primarymaterials/afam/mann.jpg