Self-taught working men : the culture and ideology of autodidacticism, with special reference to Lancashire, c. 1790-1930
From a core sample of over two hundred self-taught individuals, this study charts the origins, growth and development of an autodidact culture from the end of the eighteenth century through to the early twentieth century. Though to some extent concentrated on Lancashire, examples taken from other areas of Britain are fully integrated, giving this thesis a national perspective. In the first chapter the discourses which surrounded an autodidact culture during the nineteenth century are examined. These discourses not only establish the legitimacy of the historical study of autodidacticism, but offer a first insight into the nature of self-taught culture. A review of the secondary literature on autodidacticism reveals a lack of attention to this phenomenon, both amongst social and political historians, and amongst historians of education. The aims and perspectives of this study are then outlined, stressing how the deficiencies in existing secondary literature can be rectified.
Worrall, Brian George
Working class culture ; history
Self-taught working men : the culture and ideology of autodidacticism, with special reference to Lancashire, c. 1790-1930. From a core sample of over two hundred self-taught individuals, this study charts the origins, growth and development of an autodidact culture from the end of the eighteenth century through to the early twentieth century. Though to some extent concentrated on Lancashire, examples taken from other areas of Britain are fully integrated, giving this thesis a national perspective. In the first chapter the discourses which surrounded an autodidact culture during the nineteenth century are examined. These discourses not only establish the legitimacy of the historical study of autodidacticism, but offer a first insight into the nature of self-taught culture. A review of the secondary literature on autodidacticism reveals a lack of attention to this phenomenon, both amongst social and political historians, and amongst historians of education. The aims and perspectives of this study are then outlined, stressing how the deficiencies in existing secondary literature can be rectified.
self taught work men culture ideology special_reference lancashire core sample self taught individual study chart origin growth_development culture end though extent concentrate lancashire examples take area britain fully integrate give national perspective first discourse_surround culture examine discourse establish legitimacy historical_study offer first insight_nature self taught culture review secondary_literature reveals lack attention phenomenon amongst social_political historian amongst historian education aim perspective study outline stress deficiency exist secondary_literature rectify