Charles Eliot and the Jesuit Colleges Collection

Collection — Box: SC174-ELIO

Identifier: SC174-ELIO

Staff Only

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 1889-1990.

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.