A Plan for the Establishment of Public Schools and the Diffusion of Knowledge in Pennsylvania to which are added thoughts upon the mode of education, proper in a republic. Addressed to the Legislature and Citizens of the State

A detailed proposal for a eutopian public school system, saying that it supports religion, liberty, “just ideas of law and government,” manners, agriculture, and manufacturing (1). It then proposes one university in each state, located in its capital. For Pennsylvania he proposes four colleges in Philadelphia, Carlisle, Lancaster, “for the benefit of our German fellow citizens,” and one, in the future, in Pittsburg (2). Also, there should be a free school in every township where children learn to “read and write the English and German languages, and the use of figures” (2). Rush wrote numerous essays on aspects of education, including “Thoughts upon the Mode of Education proper in a Republic.” In his A Plan for the Establishment of Public Schools and the Diffusion of Knowledge in Pennsylvania to which are added thoughts upon the mode of education, proper in a republic. Addressed to the Legislature and Citizens of the State. Philadelphia, PA: Ptd. for Thomas Dobson, 1786), 13-36; “Thoughts upon Female Education, Accommodated to the Present State of Society, Manners, and Government, in the United States of America. Addressed to the Visitors of the Young Ladies Academy in Philadelphia, 28^th July, 1787, at the Close of the Quarterly Examination, and Afterwards Published at the Request of the Visitors” his Essays Literary, Moral and Philosophical. (Philadelphia, PA: Thomas and Samuel F. Bradford, 1798), 75-92. 2^nd ed. with additions (Philadelphia, PA: Thomas and Samuel F. Bradford, 1806), 75-92. Rpt. ed. Michael Meranze (Schenectady, NY: Union College Press, 1988), 44-54; “An Enquiry into the Utility of a Knowledge of the Latin and Greek Languages, as a branch of liberal education, with hints of a plan of liberal instruction, without them, accommodated to the present state of society, manners, and government in the United States.” By a Citizen of Philadelphia [pseud.]. American Museum, or Universal Magazine 5 (June 1789): 525-35; “Plan for a Federal University.” By Citizen of Pennsylvania [pseud.]. Federal Gazette and Philadelphia Evening Post, no. 25 (October 29, 1788): 2-3; and “Letter to Richard Price May 15, 1786.” Letters of Benjamin Rush. Volume I: 1761-1792. Ed. L. H. Butterfield ([Philadelphia, PA]: The American Philosophical Society by Princeton University Press, 1951), 388-90.

Rush wrote numerous essays on aspects of education, including “Thoughts upon the Mode of Education proper in a Republic.” In his A Plan for the Establishment of Public Schools and the Diffusion of Knowledge in Pennsylvania to which are added thoughts upon the mode of education, proper in a republic. Addressed to the Legislature and Citizens of the State. Philadelphia, PA: Ptd. for Thomas Dobson, 1786), 13-36; “Thoughts upon Female Education, Accommodated to the Present State of Society, Manners, and Government, in the United States of America. Addressed to the Visitors of the Young Ladies Academy in Philadelphia, 28^th July, 1787, at the Close of the Quarterly Examination, and Afterwards Published at the Request of the Visitors” his Essays Literary, Moral and Philosophical. (Philadelphia, PA: Thomas and Samuel F. Bradford, 1798), 75-92. 2^nd ed. with additions (Philadelphia, PA: Thomas and Samuel F. Bradford, 1806), 75-92. Rpt. ed. Michael Meranze (Schenectady, NY: Union College Press, 1988), 44-54; “An Enquiry into the Utility of a Knowledge of the Latin and Greek Languages, as a branch of liberal education, with hints of a plan of liberal instruction, without them, accommodated to the present state of society, manners, and government in the United States.” By a Citizen of Philadelphia [pseud.]. American Museum, or Universal Magazine 5 (June 1789): 525-35; “Plan for a Federal University.” By Citizen of Pennsylvania [pseud.]. Federal Gazette and Philadelphia Evening Post, no. 25 (October 29, 1788): 2-3; and “Letter to Richard Price May 15, 1786.” Letters of Benjamin Rush. Volume I: 1761-1792. Ed. L. H. Butterfield ([Philadelphia, PA]: The American Philosophical Society by Princeton University Press, 1951), 388-90.

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