A Regency Repository: Education


Education in Regency England was in nowise equal - not between the sexes, and not between the classes. Gentlemen would be educated at home by a governess or tutor until they were old enough to attend a public school. The curriculum was heavily weighted towards the classics - the languages and literature of Ancient Greece and Rome. After that, they would attend Oxford or Cambridge. Here they might also study mathematics, law, philosophy, and modern history. Oxford tended to produce more Members of Parliament and government officials, while Cambridge leaned more towards the sciences and produced more acclaimed scholars. It was not compulsory, either legally or socially, for a gentleman to attend school at all. He could, just as easily, be taught entirely at home. However, public school and University were the great staging grounds for public life, where you made your friends and developed the connections that would aid you later in life. Beau Brummel met the Prince of Wales at Eton and that friendship helped him conquer all of London Society despite his lack of family background. A lady's education was taken, almost entirely, at home. There were boarding schools, but no University, and the studies were very different. She learned French, drawing, dancing, music, and the use of globes. If the school, or the governess, was interested in teaching any practical skills, she learned plain sewing as well as embroidery, and accounts.

Gentlemen Great Books Index - Links to the great books of Western civilization including a great many from ancient Greece and Rome which comprised a large part of a gentleman's formal education. (Added: 08/25/02 Hits: 635 Rating: 7 Votes: 3) Rate It Gentlemen: Public Schools Eton College - Eton College, with Harrow, the other great public school. Try the Eton's History link (under About Us) which includes snippets about George III and Dr. Keate, Head Master from 1809 - 1834. Also, there's a tour under New Boy Guide which has photos of some of the buildings, and the famous playing fields of Eton. (Added: 02/08/02 Hits: 891 Rating: 0 Votes: 0) Rate It Harrow School - One of the great public schools. Under the Overview tab, check the Harrow Tradition and Virtual Tour links. This is a link to an actual living school, so most of the website is aimed at prospective students and their parents. (Added: 02/08/02 Hits: 476 Rating: 0 Votes: 0) Rate It Winchester College - Winchester College was founded in 1382, and served as the model for later public schools. Try the College History link. (Added: 02/08/02 Hits: 379 Rating: 10 Votes: 2) Rate It Gentlemen: Universities Cambridge - A Short History - from before its formal foundation to modern Cambridge. (Added: 08/25/02 Hits: 459 Rating: 0 Votes: 0) Rate It Mathematical Bridge, Queens' College, Cambridge - Photos. (Added: 09/27/03 Hits: 174 Rating: 0 Votes: 0) Rate It Ladies Tracy Hall Watercolour Artist - Tracy Hall Watercolours - flowers and barnyard animals. (Added: 08/26/02 Hits: 532 Rating: 10.00 Votes: 1) Rate It Watercolor Lessons - This site features step-by-step watercolor lessons with artist John Lovett as well as links to other online lessons. The artist offers additional lessons and video on CD-ROM. (Added: 08/26/02 Hits: 297 Rating: 10 Votes: 1) Rate It Watercolor Painting - Lessons - About.com's list of online watercolor lessons. (Added: 08/26/02 Hits: 312 Rating: 0 Votes: 0) Rate It

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