Charles Eliot and the Jesuit Colleges Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection documents Eliot’s comments and responses to “Ratio Studitorium”. It contains pamphlets, letters, statements, and news articles. All the materials are dated 1889-1900.
Dates
- Creation: 1889-1900
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions
Conditions Governing Use
Materials believed to be under copyright or other restrictions are available for limited noncommercial, educational and personal use only, or for fair use as defined by United States copyright law and with proper citation. Please note that the College of the Holy Cross may not hold the rights to all items in this collection. Users assume responsibility for identifying all copyright holders and for determining whether permission is needed to make any use of the content. For permission under rights held by the College, please contact archives@holycross.edu.
Historical Note
Charles Eliot, President of Harvard University, advocated the extension of the elective system to secondary and high school education. Eliot believed the Jesuit system of education imposed a rigid prescribed curriculum that left the students unprepared for life beyond their education. Eliot wrote about how the Jesuit system, the “Ratio Studitorium” or plan of study, was not evolving with modern knowledge and was not teaching students how to think. Eliot wanted to embrace the natural disparity of the individual student’s gifts and talents though a dynamic curriculum shaped for each student. Because of this, Eliot barred all Jesuit students from Harvard Graduate schools.
Extent
.46 Cubic Feet (1 document box)
Language of Materials
English
Acquisition Note
The source of acquisition is unknown.
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- July 2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Distinctive Collections Repository