Education Reformer Charles Brooks Writes to Abolitionist Rev. Samuel J. May on a Printed Circular Announcing the Establishment of the Massachusetts Board of Education

Hingham, (Massachusetts), ca. November 8, 1837 or later. Bifolium, 10 x 8 in. (254 x 203 mm). Printed circular, letter signed in type by Charles Brooks, with an autograph letter, initialed by Brooks to reformer and abolitionist Rev. Samuel J. May. In part: "The convention at Middleborough is on Thursday next...we expect you there. Mr. Catherwood lectures here Tuesday, Wed., & Thursy. evenings..." Manuscript address on verso, same with docketing and numerical notation. The printed circular letter reads in part: "The Legislature of this Commonwealth at their last session established a 'Board of Education,'...The object of this Board is 'to collect information of the actual condition and efficiency of the common schools, and then suggest the most practicable means of improving and extending them...'" Brooks goes on to describe many of his ideas for further educational reforms. Creasing from old folds; scattered foxing; wormhole affecting both pages; scattered pencil notation on all pages.

Lot also includes a one-page autograph letter, signed by Frederick Catherwood, dated December 4, 1837, sent to Rev. May. In part: "I duly received your last letter advising me that the lectures, had better be postponed until next week. I much regret that, this arrangement will not suit me..."

Founded in 1837, the Massachusetts Board of Education is the second oldest organization of its kind in the United States.

Charles Brooks (1793-1872), was a Massachusetts minister, and an early vocal advocate of public school education, based in Plymouth (see lot). As a young pastor, Brooks toured Europe, and became exposed to the educational systems of Germany and France, and was struck by the attention paid in both countries to instructor training. Upon returning to Massachusetts, he became affiliated with fellow education reformers Horace Mann and James G. Carter. Together, the three were instrumental in 1837 in the establishment of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, as well as the system of public "normal" schools across the state. Brooks remained active in issues regarding educational reform for the rest of his life.

Frederick Catherwood (1799-1854) was an English artist, architect, and explorer of the Mesoamerican region. He is best remembered for his detailed drawings of the Maya civilization included in two works by travel writer John Lloyd Stephens. At this time, Catherwood operated an architecture firm in New York City, and toured on a lecture circuit to make extra money, which is what brought him to Massachusetts.

Rev. Samuel J. May (1797-1871) was an American Unitarian minister, and ardent supporter of abolition, women's rights, and educational reform. Born in Boston, he was a descendant of two renowned colonial families, the Quincys and the Hancocks. His sister, Abby May Alcott was the mother of author Louisa May Alcott. May was one of the founding members of the New England Anti-Slavery society, being a close supporter of William Lloyd Garrison, the publisher of the famous Liberator newspaper. Throughout the 1830s and 40s, he was actively involved in the national abolition movement, traveling throughout the northeastern United States to local anti-slavery chapters or societies as a lecturer and agent. A friend to Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Douglass, May aided freedom seekers directly, led the Syracuse Fugitive Aid Society, and founded one of the nation's first Freedmen's Relief Associations in 1862. He was a prolific author and orator, writing a multitude of essays and speeches on reforming political and religious society until his death in 1871.