Samuel Read Hall
Encyclopedia
Samuel Read Hall was an American
educator.
He was born in Croydon, New Hampshire
, the son of a clergyman. When he was only three years old, his family moved to Guildhall, Vermont
. Samuel was home schooled and never attended a college. In 1814 be was employed as a teacher in Rumford, Maine. He studied to become a minister in Meriden, New Hampshire
and gained his license in 1823. He became the principal at an academy in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
in 1822.
In 1823 he started the first school in the United States
for the instruction of teachers, and he ran the institution, located in Concord, Vermont
, until 1830. He helped found the American Institute of Instruction
in 1829, the oldest educational association in the U.S. In 1830, he accepted the invitation to lead the newly formed English Academy & Teachers Seminary, part of Phillips Academy
at Andover, Massachusetts
. At Andover, in addition to leading what was the second teacher training program in the United States, he also published training manuals and school textbooks and played a leading role in the school reform movement. From 1837–40 he ran a teacher's seminary in Plymouth, New Hampshire
. At an academy in Craftsbury, Vermont
, he then established a teacher's department, which he ran until 1846. He served as pastor in Brownington
and Granby, Vermont
from 1846 to 1875.
He died in Brownington, Vermont, and is buried in Pleasant View Cemetery.
The house in which he lived in Brownington from 1856 to 1877 is now part of the Brownington Village Historic District
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator.
He was born in Croydon, New Hampshire
Croydon, New Hampshire
Croydon is a town in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 764 at the 2010 census.- History :Incorporated in 1763, the town takes its name from Croydon, a suburb of London, England.- Geography :...
, the son of a clergyman. When he was only three years old, his family moved to Guildhall, Vermont
Guildhall, Vermont
-External links:* http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/sets/72157624844998996/with/4943890976/...
. Samuel was home schooled and never attended a college. In 1814 be was employed as a teacher in Rumford, Maine. He studied to become a minister in Meriden, New Hampshire
Meriden, New Hampshire
Meriden is a village in the eastern part of the town of Plainfield in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, United States. Meriden is home to Kimball Union Academy, a private boarding school....
and gained his license in 1823. He became the principal at an academy in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,318 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private elementary and high schools.- History :...
in 1822.
In 1823 he started the first school in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for the instruction of teachers, and he ran the institution, located in Concord, Vermont
Concord, Vermont
Concord is a town in Essex County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,196 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Berlin, NH–VT Micropolitan Statistical Area, and contains the villages of North Concord and Miles Pond.- History :...
, until 1830. He helped found the American Institute of Instruction
American Institute of Instruction
The American Institute of Instruction was formed in 1830. The original purpose was to secure a Massachusetts Superintendent of Common Schools. Due the work of Samuel Read Hall, George B. Emerson and E. A...
in 1829, the oldest educational association in the U.S. In 1830, he accepted the invitation to lead the newly formed English Academy & Teachers Seminary, part of Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy is a selective, co-educational independent boarding high school for boarding and day students in grades 9–12, along with a post-graduate year...
at Andover, Massachusetts
Andover, Massachusetts
Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was incorporated in 1646 and as of the 2010 census, the population was 33,201...
. At Andover, in addition to leading what was the second teacher training program in the United States, he also published training manuals and school textbooks and played a leading role in the school reform movement. From 1837–40 he ran a teacher's seminary in Plymouth, New Hampshire
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Plymouth is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States, in the White Mountains Region. Plymouth is located at the convergence of the Pemigewasset and Baker rivers. The population was 6,990 at the 2010 census...
. At an academy in Craftsbury, Vermont
Craftsbury, Vermont
Craftsbury is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,136 at the 2000 census. The town includes the four unincorporated villages of Craftsbury Common, Mill Village, North Craftsbury and East Craftsbury.-Town:...
, he then established a teacher's department, which he ran until 1846. He served as pastor in Brownington
Brownington, Vermont
Brownington is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 885 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.4 square miles , of which 28.3 square miles is land and 0.1 square mile is...
and Granby, Vermont
Granby, Vermont
Granby is a town in Essex County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for the Marquis of Granby. The population was 86 at the 2000 census, making it the least populated incorporated town in the state....
from 1846 to 1875.
He died in Brownington, Vermont, and is buried in Pleasant View Cemetery.
The house in which he lived in Brownington from 1856 to 1877 is now part of the Brownington Village Historic District
Brownington Village Historic District
The Brownington Village Historic District is a historic site in Brownington, Vermont, United States. It is located near the intersection of Hinman and Brownington Center Roads. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on June 9, 1973...
.
Awards and honors
- The library at Lyndon State CollegeLyndon State CollegeLyndon State College is a public liberal arts college located at Lyndon Center in Lyndon, Caledonia County in the U.S. state of Vermont. In addition to a range of Bachelor's Degree programs, the college offers a Master's Degree program in Education...
is named after him. The Samuel Read Hall LibrarySamuel Read Hall LibraryThe Samuel Read Hall Library is the library at Lyndon State College, a member of the Vermont State College system. The library is named for Samuel Read Hall, an educational pioneer and native Vermonter and is located in the Library Academic Center on the college's campus in Lyndon Center. The...
at LSC. - The Samuel Read Hall Residence Hall at Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth State UniversityPlymouth State University, formerly Plymouth State College, is a regional comprehensive university located in Plymouth, New Hampshire and part of the University System of New Hampshire....
is named after him.
Partial bibliography
- Instructor's Manual, or Lectures on School Keeping, Boston, 1829.
- Lectures to Female Teachers on School-keeping, Boston, 1832.
- Lectures to School-Masters on Teaching, Boston, 1833.
- The Arithmetical Manual, Andover, 1832.
- The Child's Assistant to a Knowledge of the Geography and History of Vermont, Vermont, 1827.
External links
- Samuel Read Hall Biography from the Old Stone House Museum, Brownington, VT