Ebenezer Bailey

Background

He was born on June 25, 1795 in Connecticut, the son of Paul Bailey, a thrifty farmer, and Emma (Carr) Bailey.

Education

Though the youngest of four children, he was the only one sent to college. He entered Yale in 1813 and graduated four years later with honor. He then purchased, one knows not how, the good-will and fixtures of a private school in New Haven. At the same time he started to study law.

Career

Bailey went to Richmond, to become private tutor in the family of Colonel Carter. In his journal he recorded appreciation of Southern hospitality but disapproved of Southern "frivolity. " After a year in Virginia he returned to Massachusetts and established a private school for young ladies in Newburyport. In 1823, however, he left to become headmaster of the Franklin Grammar School for boys in Boston.

Early in the year 1826 the Girls' High School of Boston was opened and Bailey was made principal. The first high school for girls in Massachusetts and one of the first in the United States, it was looked upon as a doubtful experiment, and in 1827 the mayor, Josiah Quincy, pronounced it an "entire failure. " In a Review of the Mayor's Report Bailey indignantly denied the mayor's assertion; and many citizens shared his indignation. The truth seems to be that the school's "failure" was that it had succeeded too well. Far more girls applied for admission the second year than limited accommodations could permit to enter. The question therefore arose whether the accommodations of the High School should be extended or the curriculum of the lower schools be advanced to meet the girls' demands. The latter alternative was chosen and the Girls' High School died.

In December 1827 Bailey opened the Young Ladies' High School, a private institution which he conducted with extraordinary vigor, enthusiasm, and success. The crisis of 1837, however, brought its collapse. Pupils were withdrawn, bills remained unpaid; and Bailey, who had been generous and hospitable rather than thrifty, had to sell the school and its appurtenances. Unfortunately the man to whom he sold died insolvent after the papers had been signed but before a single payment had been made. There was nothing left for Bailey but to start life over again. This he did, opening a school for boys in Roxbury in 1838.

He was one of the founders of the American Institute of Instruction, a member of the Common Council of Boston, and a director of the House of Reformation. A writer of repute, he contributed frequently to the Courier and was the author of a number of poems better known in his own day than in ours. His text-books included: The Young Ladies' Class Book, Bakewell's Philosophical Conversations (1833) and the very popular First Lessons in Algebra (1833).

Achievements

• He is remembered as one of the founders of the American Institute of Instruction and educator. His major works are: The Young Ladies' Class Book, Bakewell's Philosophical Conversations (1833) and the very popular First Lessons in Algebra (1833).

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Young Ladies' Class Book: A Selection of Lessons for Reading, in Prose and Verse

    (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

  • Philosophical conversations: in which are familiarly explained the causes of many daily occurring natural phenomena

    (Philosophical conversations: in which are familiarly expl...)

  • A Key to the First Lessons in Algebra, Containing the Answers to the Questions, with Numerous Explanations and Solutions

    ( About the Book Mathematics is the study of such problem...)

  • First Lessons in Algebra (Classic Reprint)

Personality

He was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant teachers of his day, but his abundant energies found outlet also in other channels than teaching.

Connections

In 1825 he married Adeline Dodge, daughter of a merchant of Newburyport.

Father:

Paul Bailey

Mother:

Emma Bailey

Wife:

Adeline Dodge