An Essay towards a Philosophy of Education

Discover the time-honored approach to education that inspired a generation of tutors and governesses, teachers, schoolmasters, and parents, with effects that still echo today.

An Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education by Charlotte M. Mason is a classic work that presents a comprehensive overview of her educational philosophy. Mason's priority of a broad curriculum-intended to be filled with opportunities for children through nature walks, art study, and "living books" rather than dry textbooks-shows how she envisioned learning to be a delight throughout life, rather than mere rote memory.

Available in print and ebook, this volume is accessible to a new generation of families and educators who are seeking an approach to learning that is focused on the whole child. With acknowledgments to the Charlotte Mason Institute for the use of what we have added as Appendix A, "Some Impressions of the Ambleside Method," and to Charlotte Mason Poetry and their transcription team for their assistance with the text of the "Two Educational Ideals" chapter. In addition, we have licensed two images from The Armitt Museum and Library in Ambleside, England.