The New York Public Library, The Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle
Illustration of Owen's Institution Established for the Formation of Character, in M. Egerton's Airy Nothings; or, Scraps and Naughts, and
Odd-Cum-Shorts; in a Circumbendibus Hop, Step, and Jump. By Olio Rigmaroll. London: Pyall and Hunt, 1825.
Owen's Institution Established for the Formation of Character, which opened at New Lanark in 1816, provided a nursery and school for children up to the age of 10 (when they could start working) as well as classes for adults. For Owen, education was the element most essential to effect social reform; he based all his theories on the idea that "character is universally formed for and not by the individual." Dancing, singing, playing and other activity-centered learning were at the heart of his radical educational principles. He abhorred book learning and rote memorization, and forbade any artificial reward or punishment for the students. Owen believed that the goal of education was to teach people the consequences of their conduct and in doing so to reveal to them that the well-being of the community was a necessary prerequisite to individual happiness. Rather than punishing people for stealing, lying and other bad behavior, Owen believed that a proper education about the widespread consequences of those actions could prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Owen's Institution Established for the Formation of Character, which opened at New Lanark in 1816, provided a nursery and school for children up to the age of 10 (when they could start working) as well as classes for adults. For Owen, education was the element most essential to effect social reform; he based all his theories on the idea that "character is universally formed for and not by the individual." Dancing, singing, playing and other activity-centered learning were at the heart of his radical educational principles. He abhorred book learning and rote memorization, and forbade any artificial reward or punishment for the students. Owen believed that the goal of education was to teach people the consequences of their conduct and in doing so to reveal to them that the well-being of the community was a necessary prerequisite to individual happiness. Rather than punishing people for stealing, lying and other bad behavior, Owen believed that a proper education about the widespread consequences of those actions could prevent them from occurring in the first place.
This image is intended for personal or research use only. For reproduction or any other use of the image,
contact NYPL Photographic Services & Permissions at permissions@nypl.org.