Daniel Drake as a Nineteenth Century Educational Reformer

Abstract

If Daniel Drake is remembered as an educator, it is usually for his pioneering efforts in establishing medical schools and related institutions in Ohio, and for his attempts to improve the quality of medical instruction. However, Drake's entire professional and public life can be interpreted as a continuous educational endeavor. Although Drake's own education was limited, he early learned the value of reading for self-instruction and preached the value of that trait for the rest of his life. After his experiences in Philadelphia, Drake tried to emulate its educational and professional establishments in Cincinnati. As time went on, he developed a more independent approach to education which championed a new Western Country attitude. He was active in The Western Literary Institute and College of Professional Teachers that met annually in the 1830s which had a broad view of the term teacher. These meetings were Drake's most active involvement with the reforming of non-medical teaching where his contributions were ahead of his times.