I’ve been studying her work for 20 years and practiced her educational ideas with my children for most of their education here in the UK too - she’s an absolutely hero 👌 I’m so glad you’ve met her!
Now part of the University of Cumbria, Charlotte Mason College was where I studied for my teaching qualification! It was a fabulous place to study and the spirit of Charlotte Mason lives on in the people who teach and study there.
You've beautifully articulated the essence of Mason's philosophy in this piece! Thank you for writing it, confirming its relevance to modern day and connecting it to the works of Tolkien and Lewis. It's not surprising to find the common thread of Truth across these great minds, is it? And the world hungers for it - whether or not it admits it.
Thank you for taking the time to read the essay. Charlotte Mason is a woman I very much look up to and admire, and in these few short weeks I am still learning so much about her. I have always had a deep love for the culture of the Victorian and Edwardian period, and the more I dig down and research, the more I find that Mason, Tolkien, Lewis and many others were all part of the same story – fellow seekers of the same truth. And I so agree, the world, and more importantly children, hunger for that truth.
How interesting - Granny also went to Bishop Otter College. One of my singing students is just coming to the end of her first year at the University of Chichester - same place, many of the same buildings - the great cycle of life continues.
She was, yes. She went first to teach at Millbrook near Southampton where she met my grandfather who was the Rector - he was 26 years older! When he died in 1952, she went back to teaching, first as headmistress at Preston Candover near Basingstoke, then to St John’s and St Faith’s in Winchester.
Great essay. I am currently writing about Irish education so I’m really interested in the topic. Charlotte’s father Joshua was Irish so that sparked my interest. Plus I live fairly near the Lakers and often go to Ambleside….
I was there last week. Her house isn’t accessible but it is in the middle of the University of Cumbria campus. Her grave is in a beautiful setting,I was very glad I went…
The Armitt Museum and Library in Ambleside has a ‘Charlotte Mason Collection’ . There is material for the general visitor and for researchers. It is next to the site of her college, now part of Cumbria University. My daughter worked there for a while.
I didn’t know about her time at Bishop Otter, located near to The Theological College in Chichester, where I studied. So thanks for joining some dots.
Hi Jessica, ‘The Mason Lewis School.’ That rolls off the tongue wonderfully, and it also evokes exactly the right thoughts aboutt CS Lewis and Charlotte Mason. I see lions, lamp posts, fawns, yorkshire dales, nature and children learning all rolled into one. Brilliant! Best wishes Vincent.
@Ruby-Faith Smith Thank you so much for restacking. Best wishes Vincent
I’ve been studying her work for 20 years and practiced her educational ideas with my children for most of their education here in the UK too - she’s an absolutely hero 👌 I’m so glad you’ve met her!
Thank you for this thoughtful piece. We follow a Charlotte Mason education in our homeschool. How interesting that she isn't as well known in the UK.
This is so great! I use Ambleside Online in out homeschool. I hadn't considered much of this overlap with Tolkien and Lewis!
It is a philosophy of education espoused by many homeschool families.
Now part of the University of Cumbria, Charlotte Mason College was where I studied for my teaching qualification! It was a fabulous place to study and the spirit of Charlotte Mason lives on in the people who teach and study there.
Cumbria is part of the world I keep meaning to visit, along with Cragside in nearby Northumberland.
You've beautifully articulated the essence of Mason's philosophy in this piece! Thank you for writing it, confirming its relevance to modern day and connecting it to the works of Tolkien and Lewis. It's not surprising to find the common thread of Truth across these great minds, is it? And the world hungers for it - whether or not it admits it.
Thank you for taking the time to read the essay. Charlotte Mason is a woman I very much look up to and admire, and in these few short weeks I am still learning so much about her. I have always had a deep love for the culture of the Victorian and Edwardian period, and the more I dig down and research, the more I find that Mason, Tolkien, Lewis and many others were all part of the same story – fellow seekers of the same truth. And I so agree, the world, and more importantly children, hunger for that truth.
How interesting - Granny also went to Bishop Otter College. One of my singing students is just coming to the end of her first year at the University of Chichester - same place, many of the same buildings - the great cycle of life continues.
All these connections are quite wonderful. Was your Granny a teacher?
She was, yes. She went first to teach at Millbrook near Southampton where she met my grandfather who was the Rector - he was 26 years older! When he died in 1952, she went back to teaching, first as headmistress at Preston Candover near Basingstoke, then to St John’s and St Faith’s in Winchester.
Hi David. Well what a small world. It's extraordinary how closely connected well all are.
Great essay. I am currently writing about Irish education so I’m really interested in the topic. Charlotte’s father Joshua was Irish so that sparked my interest. Plus I live fairly near the Lakers and often go to Ambleside….
I did not know that about her father. I must get up to Ambleside and the Lakes at some point, I've never been.
I was there last week. Her house isn’t accessible but it is in the middle of the University of Cumbria campus. Her grave is in a beautiful setting,I was very glad I went…
I’ve done a recent essay on the Irish education system which you might like, pretty much the opposite of what CM advocated….
The Armitt Museum and Library in Ambleside has a ‘Charlotte Mason Collection’ . There is material for the general visitor and for researchers. It is next to the site of her college, now part of Cumbria University. My daughter worked there for a while.
I didn’t know about her time at Bishop Otter, located near to The Theological College in Chichester, where I studied. So thanks for joining some dots.
Hi William. Ambleside and the Lakes is on my must visit list. Thanks for the heads up on The Armitt Museum and Library.
A few years ago when we needed to have a name for our homeschool we settled on 'The Mason Lewis School'....for two of our heroes- Charlotte and C. S.
Hi Jessica, ‘The Mason Lewis School.’ That rolls off the tongue wonderfully, and it also evokes exactly the right thoughts aboutt CS Lewis and Charlotte Mason. I see lions, lamp posts, fawns, yorkshire dales, nature and children learning all rolled into one. Brilliant! Best wishes Vincent.
Hi @Krystal Bolinger Thank you so much for restacking. With very best wishes from Sussex, UK.
Thanks for the restack William, really kind.
Hi Aryana. Thank you so much for restacking. Best wishes Vincent