Wilbur S. Jackman
Encyclopedia
Wilbur Samuel Jackman was an American educator and one of the originators of the nature study
movement. Shortly after he was born in Mechanicstown, Ohio
, his family moved to California, Pennsylvania
where he spent his boyhood growing up on a farm. It was his childhood experiences that engendered him with a love of the outdoors and all the plants and animals that live there.
Jackman continued his education at the California Normal School and graduated from there around age 20. He then continued his education at Harvard University
and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Harvard in 1884. On his way home after graduation he stopped in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
where he was promptly offered a job to teach natural science to high school students. It is while he is teaching high school in Pittsburgh that he formulates the nature-study idea.
He was found at the high school in Pittsburgh by Colonel Francis W. Parker
in 1889. He was invited by Parker to join the faculty at the Cook County Normal School in Chicago, Illinois. In the fall of 1890, Jackman published bimonthly pamphlets that were 75 pages each titled "Outlines in Elementary Science". In the spring of 1891, these pamphlets were synthesized into the important book published that allowed the whole world to learn about nature-study in his book Nature-Study for Common Schools. After this, he continued to refine his ideas of nature-study in different publications.
In 1904, Jackman was appointed dean of the growing School of Education of the University of Chicago
(formerly the Cook County Normal School). He also served in this time as editor of the journal Elementary School Teacher.
Jackman died suddenly at the age of 52 from what was diagnosed as pneumonia
.
Nature study
The nature study movement was a popular education movement in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nature study attempted to reconcile scientific investigation with spiritual, personal experiences gained from interaction with the natural world...
movement. Shortly after he was born in Mechanicstown, Ohio
Mechanicstown, Ohio
Mechanicstown is an unincorporated community in northwestern Fox Township, Carroll County, Ohio, United States. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 44651. It lies at the intersection of State Routes 39 and 524...
, his family moved to California, Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania
California is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, along the Monongahela River. The population was 5,274 as of the 2000 census. California is the home of California University of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1849, the borough was named for the territory of California following...
where he spent his boyhood growing up on a farm. It was his childhood experiences that engendered him with a love of the outdoors and all the plants and animals that live there.
Jackman continued his education at the California Normal School and graduated from there around age 20. He then continued his education at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Harvard in 1884. On his way home after graduation he stopped in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
where he was promptly offered a job to teach natural science to high school students. It is while he is teaching high school in Pittsburgh that he formulates the nature-study idea.
He was found at the high school in Pittsburgh by Colonel Francis W. Parker
Francis Wayland Parker
Francis Wayland Parker was a pioneer of the progressive school movement in the United States. He believed that education should include the complete development of an individual — mental, physical, and moral...
in 1889. He was invited by Parker to join the faculty at the Cook County Normal School in Chicago, Illinois. In the fall of 1890, Jackman published bimonthly pamphlets that were 75 pages each titled "Outlines in Elementary Science". In the spring of 1891, these pamphlets were synthesized into the important book published that allowed the whole world to learn about nature-study in his book Nature-Study for Common Schools. After this, he continued to refine his ideas of nature-study in different publications.
In 1904, Jackman was appointed dean of the growing School of Education of the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
(formerly the Cook County Normal School). He also served in this time as editor of the journal Elementary School Teacher.
Jackman died suddenly at the age of 52 from what was diagnosed as pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
.
External links
- Editorial Notes: Policy Statement of the Elementary School Teacher at the Mead Project
- Wilbur Samuel Jackman at Encyclopedia.com
- Hyde Park Resources: Here's What's in Hyde Park