Darwin's Theory of Education

Erasmus Darwin believed that young women should be provided with an education which included scientific subjects as well as modern languages.

Darwin recommended a diet containing fruit but not too much salt. In many ways, he was ahead of his time!

Erasmus Darwin purchased an Inn, The Old Nags Head, now known as Madge House, in 1793 with the intention that it would be used as a ladies seminary school run by 2 of his daughters, Susanna and Mary Parker. He provided the curriculum for this daughters’ school, and believed that young women should be provided with an education which included scientific subjects as well as modern languages.  He was also a believer in physical education with the aim of “uniting health and agility of the body with cheerfulness and activity of the mind”.  He was against stays in a young ladies dress and believed students should be governed by the teacher’s superiority of mind rather than harsh discipline.  He also recommended a diet containing fruit but not too much salt.  In many ways, he was ahead of his time; his ideas were influential as many of the leading families in the Midlands sent their daughters to his daughters’ school, although he still advocated that young ladies be schooled in the “charms which enchant all hearts”

The site of a girl's school run by Erasmus Darwin's 2 illegitimate daughters. Erasmus was Charles Darwin's Grandfather. The house, which was originally a public house called The Old Nags Head Inn, is named after a well respected local doctor in the 20th Century.

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Erasmus Darwin was the grandfather of Charles Darwin. After an education at Cambridge, he lived at Lichfield and later in Derby. He worked as a country doctor.

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