Biographical Dictionary of Modern American Educators
- Book Review,
by Frederik M. Ohles
From Booklist
This reference book updates the 1978 Greenwood title Biographical Dictionary of American Educators, edited by John Ohles. Like that volume, it fills a gap in available resources, with biographical information focusing on persons who "made their mark" in the field of education in the U.S. Not all of the more than 400 persons included achieved prominence in their lifetimes, but all made a distinctive contribution to some facet of education. The originator of driver education, Amos Neyhart, is included along with Eric D. Hirsch, who wrote the best-seller Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know in 1987.This book does not attempt to cover currently active and prominent educators but is intentionally historical. Included are researchers, leaders, reformers, critics, and practitioners who were born before 1935 or are now deceased. Most of them were professionally active in the early and middle twentieth century. A few date from the nineteenth century, and the youngest person was born in 1942. In the 1978 volume, birth dates ranged from 1604 to 1925. For this volume, an attempt was made not only to bring coverage further into the twentieth century but also to expand coverage of women and ethnic minorities.The biographies average from 250 to 400 words with basic personal family history, a statement about significant accomplishments, education and career history, notable publications, honors received, and a list of references to additional biographical information. Persons included were selected from around 1,500 recommendations to the authors, and the sketches were written by the three authors themselves. The appendixes provide additional access points through listings of the educators by year and place of birth, state where major service was performed, and field of work. There is also a chronological list of 104 important events in American education from 1635 to 1995.Most libraries in universities with strong programs in the field of education will want to add this book to their collections.
Book Description
Widely praised, Greenwood's Biographical Dictionary of American Educators (Greenwood, 1978) quickly became a standard reference work for students and scholars of American education. This new volume includes biographical sketches of more than 400 notable researchers, leaders, reformers, critics, and practitioners from all major fields of education and extends the coverage of its predecessor to the mid-20th century. Its topical range encompasses such diverse areas as psychology, music, health, measurement and evaluation, science, special education, history, and administration. It treats education at all levels, including early childhood, elementary and secondary, higher, and adult. Most of the educators profiled were active in the 20th century, but several dozen have been included from the 19th century. A special effort has been made to include women and educators of color whose contributions have often been overlooked in the past.
About the Author
FREDERIK OHLES is Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the College, and Professor of History at Illinois College. SHIRLEY M. OHLES is an independent researcher in education. JOHN G. RAMSAY is Professor of Educational Studies and Coordinator of the Learning and Teaching Center at Carleton College.
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