Lost Episodes: Franklin’s View of Education

Written by aaron | August 23, 2011

On August 23, 1750, Benjamin Franklin wrote to Dr. Samuel Johnson, who was the first President of King’s College (later Columbia University), regarding education:

“I think with you, that nothing is of more importance for the public weal [good], than to form and train up youth [Prov. 22:6] in wisdom and virtue. Wise and good men are, in my opinion, the strength of a state: much more so than riches or arms, which, under the management of Ignorance and Wickedness, often draw on destruction, instead of providing for the safety of a people. And though the culture bestowed on many should be successful only with a few, yet the influence of those few and the service in their power, may be very great. Even a single woman that was wise, by her wisdom saved a city [2 Sam. 20:22].
I think also, that general virtue is more probably to be expected and obtained from the education of youth, than from the exhortation of adult persons; bad habits and vices of the mind, being, like diseases of the body, more easily prevented than cured.
I think moreover, that talents for the education of youth are the gift of God; and that he on whom they are bestowed, whenever a way is opened for the use of them, is as strongly called as if he heard a voice from heaven: nothing more surely pointing out duty in a public service, than ability and opportunity of performing it.”*

Benjamin Franklin knew the importance of training up young, virtuous leaders and viewed effective educators as having a divine calling and a gift from God. That is another lost episode in American history.

*Source Citation: Leonard W. Labaree, ed. et al, The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, 40 vols. to date, (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1959-2011), 4:40. Bracketed items added.