The Development of the Mechanics' Institute Movement in Britain and Beyond: Supporting further education for the adult working classes

Description

Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgements Chapter 1 Introduction The history of education History of education studies Early developments Mechanics’ Institute Unions Historical debates Structure of this volume Note References Chapter 2 A brief history of the Mechanics’ Institute Movement Introduction Support for mechanics’ institutes The beginnings of the Mechanics’ Institute Movement Stagnation and decline: 1826–1850 End of the Movement? A new age, a new start Conclusion Notes References Chapter 3 Scientific education offered up to 1850 Introduction Curriculum developments 1824–1850 in the mechanics’ institutes Science curriculum and mechanics’ institutes Conclusion Notes References Chapter 4 Scientific and technical education 1851–1900 Introduction Pre–1851 exhibitions The 1851 Great Exhibition of the works of industry of all nations The 1870 Education Act Royal Commissions Technical Instruction Act and Local Tax Act Mechanics’ Institutes and University Extension Schemes Conclusion Note References Chapter 5 Social class and membership Introduction Early developments The debate on class Further evidence of working-class occupational membership in Mechanics’ Institutes Conclusion References Chapter 6 Mechanics’ institutes and female membership Introduction Female membership in the Yorkshire Union of Mechanics’ Institutes Conclusion References Chapter 7 From rented accommodationto civic pride Introduction Civic pride Conclusion References Chapter 8 Mechanics’ Institute Libraries and their contribution to a public readership Introduction Village circulating libraries Literature and the Mechanics’ Institute Libraries The Public Libraries Act of 1850 The Carnegie Libraries and the Mechanics’ Institute Movement Conclusion Note References Chapter 9 Analysis of three clusters of mechanics’ institutes and their impact on their local communities Introduction The North East Cluster The Dales and Pennines Cluster The Huddersfield and District Cluster Conclusion References Chapter 10 Expansion of the Mechanics’ Institute Movement beyond Britain The Movement in America Australia Why were mechanics’ institutes founded in Australia? Mechanics’ Institutes and the Library Movement in Australia Impact of the Australian Mechanics’ Institute Movement on the industrial class Canada New Zealand Conclusion Note References Chapter 11 Conclusion and legacy of the Mechanics’ Institute Movement Introduction References Index