Horace Mann (1796—1859) was the first notable American politician who advocated for a reform in education to achieve universal public education and provide training for teachers in normal schools. His work defending democratic, universal, nonsectarian, and free education, and his influence in reconstructing the public-education system gave him national recognition.
¨Our American Cousin¨ The play was written by Tom Taylor, an Englishman, and premiered in New York City in 1858—an instant smash. “The houses are crowded to over-flowing,” the New York Times [reported several weeks]
