LANCASTER, JOSEPH, was born in 1771: his father had been a soldier in the foot-guards. Moved by a benevolent feeling towards the neglected children that surrounded his father's residence in the Borough-road, Southwark, Joseph Lancaster opened a school for their benefit, and obtaining a room without cost from his father, he fitted it up at his own expense; and beforo he was eighteen years of age had ninety children under his care. This was in 1798, a period of scarcity as well as of general ignorance; and necessity prompted him to make experiments in education, with a view to economy iu teaching. He early attracted the attention of the Duke of Bedford; and in 1805 was honoured by an audience on the part of George Ill., who on this occasion said, " I wish that every poor child in my domi nions may be able to read his Biblo "—words whiob, beiug freely repeated, did much towards facilitating the increase of schools through out the country. Joseph Lancaster was a member of the Society of Friends, and as a conscientious dissenter be declined flattering over tures of worldly advantages which could be enjoyed only by his joining the Established Church. From 1807 to 1811 he travelled in the
kingdom nearly seven thousand miles, and lectured to nearly fifty thousand persons ; and thus gavo a great impulse to elementary education. In 1812 he attempted to establish a school for children of opulent parents; but he became insolvent, and in 1818 emigrated to the United States, where he was well received. In this country he rendered much service to education, but the effect of his labours was lessened by his want of prudence. In 1829 he visited Canada, and was honourably welcomed. The parliament of Lower Canada voted him several grants for educational purposes. Again he expe rienced great pecuniary difficulties, but some of his old friends united to purchase for him a small annuity. He died at New York on the 23rd of October 1838, having essentially contributed to the establish ment of the system of mutual or monitorial instruction in most parts of the civilised world, under the name at first generally adopted in England of Lancasterian Schools,' and under the patronage of the British and Foreign School Society.