The London Mechanics' Institution : social and cultural foundations 1823-1830
This study of the founding in 1823 of the London Mechanicsâ Institution examines its constituency, catchment, and mandate to teach working men science and technology. To explain the Institutionâs distinctive character, it is necessary to move beyond the flourishing patent/invention journalism, which provides one explanatory context, to the cheap literature disputes, debating society connotations, and Francis Placeâs network. These radical associations show why George Birkbeck was quickly designated the âfounderâ, even though he was unknown to J. C. Robertson and Thomas Hodgskin when they proposed such an institute in the Mechanicsâ Magazine. Birkbeckâs social standing would allay Establishment fears. An older historiography stressing middle-class social control is tested by analysing contemporary journals, newspapers and manuscripts. The first two volumes of manuscript Membersâ Registers (1824-29), recording 8,343 names with occupations and addresses, have been transcribed and appended. These allow a comparison of membersâ occupations with London trades generally and highlight diverse occupations within families. They also reveal family relationships between clerks and mechanics â important
Flexner, H. H.
The London Mechanics' Institution : social and cultural foundations 1823-1830. This study of the founding in 1823 of the London Mechanicsâ Institution examines its constituency, catchment, and mandate to teach working men science and technology. To explain the Institutionâs distinctive character, it is necessary to move beyond the flourishing patent/invention journalism, which provides one explanatory context, to the cheap literature disputes, debating society connotations, and Francis Placeâs network. These radical associations show why George Birkbeck was quickly designated the âfounderâ, even though he was unknown to J. C. Robertson and Thomas Hodgskin when they proposed such an institute in the Mechanicsâ Magazine. Birkbeckâs social standing would allay Establishment fears. An older historiography stressing middle-class social control is tested by analysing contemporary journals, newspapers and manuscripts. The first two volumes of manuscript Membersâ Registers (1824-29), recording 8,343 names with occupations and addresses, have been transcribed and appended. These allow a comparison of membersâ occupations with London trades generally and highlight diverse occupations within families. They also reveal family relationships between clerks and mechanics â important
london institution social_cultural foundation study found london institution examines constituency catchment mandate teach work men science_technology explain institution distinctive_character necessary move_beyond flourish patent invention journalism provide explanatory context cheap literature dispute debate society connotation place network radical association show george quickly designate founder even_though unknown robertson thomas propose institute magazine social_standing would establishment fear old historiography stress middle_class social_control test analyse contemporary journal newspaper manuscript first_two volume manuscript members record name occupation address transcribe append allow comparison member occupation london trade generally highlight_diverse occupation within family also_reveal family relationship mechanic important