Horace Mann - Legacy

Legacy

Most historians treat Mann as the most important and beneficial leader of education reform in the antebellum period. However, in his book, "Horace Mann's Troubling Legacy: The Education of Democratic Citizens," Bob Pepperman Taylor argues that Mann's view of civic education marginalized the role of schools in training the intellect, and links him to anti-intellectualism in American education.

Taylor argues, that we should view Mann's contributions to public education as something with both great strengths and inherent weaknesses.

Horace Mann's statue stands in front of the Massachusetts State House along with that of Daniel Webster.

A building of Teachers College, Columbia University is named for him.

At Antioch College a monument carries his quote (now the college motto): "Be Ashamed to Die Until You Have Won Some Victory for Humanity."

There are a number of schools in the United States named for Mann. Additionally, the University of Northern Colorado named the gates to their campus in his dedication, a gift of the Class of 1910.

The Springfield, Illinois-based Illinois Education Association Mutual Insurance Company, was renamed in honor of Mann in 1950 as the Horace Mann Educators Corporation.

In Maryville, Missouri; Northwest Missouri State University named their education building in honor of Horace Mann. (www.nwmissouri.edu)