A group blog to promote discussion, debate and insight into the history, particularly religious, of America's founding. Any observations, questions, or comments relating to the blog's theme are welcomed.
Excellent blog by Professor Kidd. As described on the UP's Franklin & the 18th C website:
"Penn was founded on unique grounds in the history of education. In Philadelphia Benjamin Franklin sought not only to create a local institution of higher learning, but also to provide an education that did not fit the models already established in New England and Virginia. In Europe and the colonies up to that time, such schools had emphasized the training of new clergymen. The goal of Franklin's nonsectarian, practical plan would be the education of a business and governing class rather than of clergymen. His ideas found a receptive audience in the prominent men of Philadelphia, who saw a need to prepare young men to lead the government and businesses of their growing city, the largest in the American colonies."
"In Europe and the colonies up to that time, such schools had emphasized the training of new clergymen."
Exactly. This is why David Barton was at least somewhat correct in his claim that 75% [or whatever] of the Signers attended "seminary."
That's not entirely accurate, but neither is the routine criticism floating around that "seminary" was merely synonymous with "university."
Which is what pisses me off about this Barton stuff the most--one half-truth being replaced by another. After reading a Barton "debunking" most people are just as ignorant as when they started.
2 comments:
Excellent blog by Professor Kidd.
As described on the UP's Franklin & the 18th C website:
"Penn was founded on unique grounds in the history of education. In Philadelphia Benjamin Franklin sought not only to create a local institution of higher learning, but also to provide an education that did not fit the models already established in New England and Virginia. In Europe and the colonies up to that time, such schools had emphasized the training of new clergymen. The goal of Franklin's nonsectarian, practical plan would be the education of a business and governing class rather than of clergymen. His ideas found a receptive audience in the prominent men of Philadelphia, who saw a need to prepare young men to lead the government and businesses of their growing city, the largest in the American colonies."
How ironic: "Go Quakers!"
"In Europe and the colonies up to that time, such schools had emphasized the training of new clergymen."
Exactly. This is why David Barton was at least somewhat correct in his claim that 75% [or whatever] of the Signers attended "seminary."
That's not entirely accurate, but neither is the routine criticism floating around that "seminary" was merely synonymous with "university."
Which is what pisses me off about this Barton stuff the most--one half-truth being replaced by another. After reading a Barton "debunking" most people are just as ignorant as when they started.
http://americancreation.blogspot.com/2010/12/rodda-on-beck-u.html?showComment=1293567717491#c6675907880907859637
&c.
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