Report of the committee on education, of the House of Representatives of Kentucky, on so much of the governor's message as relates to schools and seminaries of learning.
Lexington: Printed by Joseph G. Norwood, 1830. 52 pp. 8vo. Stitched paper wrappers, removed from a larger volume. Second edition. Removed from a larger volume else a good copy with a chipped front wrapper, detached with the first few leaves; lacking the rear wrapper, stitching loose. Sabin 37507. Amer. Imprints 2107. Item #38644
Presentation copy by the author to educator pioneer W.R. Johnson, Philadelphia. 2000 copies were printed. In a period of concern over education, the report analyses the methods of providing for a common education in the state, noting the three main methods for funding were a state fund as in Connecticut, a state fund augmented by local funds, as in New York, or only local taxation, as in Massachusetts. He argued for the efficacy of the New York model.
Benjamin Orr Peers (1800-1842) Kentucky born, graduated Transylvania University, later studying at Princeton Seminary (1822-23) for the Presbyterian ministry though he chose to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. After campaigning throughout the state for public education he was chosen to prepare a new report for the legislature -the 1822 report having laid dormant. He was later President of Transylvania University from 1832 to 1834.
Walter Rogers Jounson (1794-1852) Harvard graduate, distinguished scientist and educational reformer in Pennsylvania, became principal of the academy in Germantown 1821. He was the first Secretary of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was influencial in preparing the ground work for the passage of the 1834 law which provided Pennsylvania with a system of public schools.
Not at American Antiquarian Society. OCLC lists fifteen copies, all apparently of this, the second edition.
References: Auguston Alvin Page: "Benjamin Orr Peers, Educator" [Bowling Green, Ky.] Western Kentucky State Teachers College 1934; Joseph J. McCadden: "Walter Rogers Johnson: A New England Founder of Free Schools in Pennsylvania" in The New England Quarterly. Vol. 11, No. 1 (Mar., 1938), pp. 121-145).
Price: $200.00