Education
He was educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford gaining 1st class in mathematics.
He was educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford gaining 1st class in mathematics.
He became a commissioner for the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws in 1832. From 1835-1846 he was an assistant commissioner to administer the poor law, the new Poor Law having been passed in 1834. Together with James Kay-Shuttleworth, whom he had met as secretary of the Statistical Society of London (founded 1834), in 1839 they jointly published reports on the training of pauper children.
This became the College of Street Mark and Street John at Battersea, London and is now University College Plymouth Street Mark & Street John (known as "Marjon").
This was the first training college for school teachers. Today"s system of national school education, with public inspection, trained teachers and its support by state as well as local funds, is largely due to their initiative.