Perspectives in economic and Social history Perspectives in Economic and Social History

english catholics and the education of the Poor,

1847–1902
5
Eric G. Tenbus

1847–1902
English Catholics and the Education of the Poor,
Filling an important gap in the historiography of Victorian Britain, this book examines the
english catholic church’s efforts during the second half of the nineteenth century to provide
elementary education for catholics. This campaign evolved into a half-century struggle against

English Catholics and

disunity within the catholic community, a battle against nascent secularism in the educational
system and a quest to secure equal rights and treatment within Victorian society. This struggle
helped unify the catholic community and transform its identity, as members of the catholic
minority evolved from passive onlookers to active, sometimes aggressive, participants.
tenbus’s study is based on extensive research through diocesan archives; from the personal
papers of cardinals and archbishops down to the letters and sermons of local clergymen. also
considered is the press coverage of the education question, including that found in the many
the Education of the
catholic periodicals of the time.

Perspectives in economic and Social history

Poor, 1847–1902
Series Editors: Andreas Gestrich, Steven King and Robert E. Wright Eric G. Tenbus
The series includes monographs dealing with aspects of social and economic history in Britain,
europe or america from the early modern period into the twentieth century. it incorporates
titles organized around the following principal thematic areas: landholding patterns; poverty
and welfare; demography and family history; consumption; medicine; industrialization,
including occupational structures; urbanization and the urban environment; trade; and micro-
histories. Books in the series offer reappraisals of the interaction of economy and society at the
level of nation state, region, community and family.

Eric G. Tenbus

Pickering & chatto Number 5

ISBN:  978 1 84893 038 4 www.pickeringchatto.com PICKERING

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