The Educational Writings of Richard MulcasterMulcaster, Richard
History
The Educational Writings of Richard Mulcaster
Mulcaster, Richard
Education -- History
In 1596 came a return of prosperity in a settled position. The
headmaster of St. Paul’s School, which had been founded at the
beginning of the century by John Colet, and bequeathed by him to
the management of the Silk Mercers’ Guild, had resigned his post,
as a result of similar differences with the governing body to those
which occurred in the Merchant Taylors’ School, and Mulcaster,
whatever misgivings he may have had, had learned enough from his
recent experience not to decline the vacant office when it was
offered to him. He was already in his sixty-fourth year when he
received the appointment, and he continued to hold it till he was
seventy-six. The conditions were much the same as those under which
he had formerly worked, the statutes of St. Paul’s School having
indeed served as a model to the later foundation, but the number
of scholars was limited to 153, and the salary of the headmaster
was £36 (equal to about £300 now), in addition to a residence in
the school. In 1602 the salaries of all the teachers were doubled,
in recompense for certain restrictions imposed by a new set of
regulations, and when Mulcaster resigned his position in 1608,
presumably on account of failing strength, he received a yearly
pension of £66 3s. 4d. until his death three years later. There is
little to record of his labours during his twelve years’ service at
St. Paul’s School, the only outstanding event being in connection
with the accession of James I. in 1603. It was the privilege of his
scholars to welcome the Sovereign to the capital, and we read that
on this occasion a Latin speech, prepared by the headmaster, was
delivered by one of the scholars at the door of the School.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account