FEW THOUGHTS on the POWERS & DUTIES OF WOMEN. TWO LECTURES. By HORACE MANN. Published by Hall, Mills, and Company, Syracuse, 1853. First Edition.

In these lectures Horace Mann argues that women's roles should be expanded, and that women should be permitted to work in a limited number of professions, most importantly as teachers of young children in public schools. Not a grandiose idea, but progressive at the time.

PRESENTATION COPY - SIGNED and INSCRIBED by HORACE MANN to WILLIAM G. BATES on a LAID-IN NOTE: "Wm. G. Bates, Esq. / with best regards / from / Horace Mann".

ASSOCIATION COPY. In 1837 Horace Mann became the first Secretary to the Massachusetts Board of Education. In 1839 William G. Bates joined Horace Mann as a member of the Massachusetts Board of Education. They worked together in this capacity for many years. During this time, primarily due to the efforts of Horace Mann, but with the assistance of William Bates, women were encouraged to study to become teachers in the State's Normal (i.e. Public) Schools, and many did. It makes sense that this book, on the importance of women becoming teachers, was sent by Horace Mann to his colleague William Bates.

Hardcover Book, red cloth covered boards, blind stamped designs on the front and rear covers, gilt titles and floral design on the spine, 4.5x6 inches, 141 pages.

GOOD condition: the covers have a bit of fraying at the spine ends, are worn through at the corner tips, and show some light soiling, but remain solid and attractive; internally, there is an early previous owner's name on the front pastedown: "Minerva Adams (Sabin?)", scattered foxing throughout, otherwise tight, bright, clean and clear.

RARE FIRST EDITION BOOK, RARE SIGNATURE, RARE ASSOCIATION.

About HORACE MANN (from Wikipedia):

******Horace Mann, b.1796 d.1859, was an American educational reformer, slavery abolitionist and Whig politician known for his commitment to promoting public education, he is thus also known as the FATHER OF AMERICAN EDUCATION. In 1848, after public service as Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, Mann was elected to the United States House of Representatives (1848-1853). From September 1852 to his death, he served as President of Antioch College.******

About WILLIAM G. BATES (from Wikipedia):

******William Gelston Bates, b.1803 d.1880, was an American politician. He graduated from Yale College in 1825, was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1828, and practiced law in Westfield, Massachusetts. From 1839 to 1847 he was a member of the Massachusetts State Board of Education. In 1840 he was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, and in 1844 and 1845 was a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council. In 1868 he was also a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.******

HORACE MANN on WOMEN as TEACHERS (from the Bridgewater State University website):

******In 1837, Horace Mann accepted the position as the first secretary to the Board of Education in Massachusetts; his mission was to improve the public school system in the state. One of his most revolutionary changes to the system included establishing normal schools for the express purpose of training a core of well trained female teachers who could then, he believed, transform the public schools. Mann believed women were naturally suited to instruct young common school children. Teaching and education had traditionally been considered men's responsibilities, however Mann circumvented this tradition by showing that women as teachers of school children was not much different than their role as mothers of young children. Thus, Mann's plan for improved common schools allowed women to work outside the home without challenging their traditional roles.******