Dear Keith,
thanks for the plug. I'm sure it wasn't done deliberately to stir me into
action!
Actually I do have some information on the NHRU, although not much. I came
across the organisation during my PhD studies and I believe I looked at
their house magazine in NLW. I have some basic information below, but might
have some more at home if I can find it.
The National Home Reading Union was founded in 1889 by Dr. J.B. Paton of
Nottingham, to promote the habit and love of good reading. It did this by
offering courses to members who came together in circles to read selected
materials on a given subject or in a particular genre. At the end of the
course, which included tutorials, essays and a summer school, you received a
Certificate. There was of course a fee, lower for working men and women, and
the NHRU's activities extended across the UK and the Empire (as it then
was). So, it would be quite feasible for someone in Canada to be a member of
Circle there.
As I said above, they produced a house magazine, which contains much more
detail about how the Union worked, and I have a copy from an unreferenced
source (!) which briefly outlines its aims and objectives. The idea of the
Union was well suppoerted by the establishment, such as the Board of
Education and Local Education Authorities. For further reading, I have a
reference to The Times of April 13th 1889, which presumably discusses its
foundation. There were also articles about it in the professional library
press over the next two decades, but I dont have the precise references with me.
I hope this helps, but if you want more, get back to me. I could forward a
copy of this unsourced introduction to the organisation. Another example of
reading circles, although in this case highly organised.
All the best,
Chris B
>
> National Home Reading Union
>
>A correspondent of mine in Canada is investigating a group of readers in
>British Columbia in 1896. One particular subject was a member of the
>National Home Reading Union. He has seen only one other reference to this
>group, even though it was a big organization. Does anyone have any
>information about this union, and how could he find out how much of an
>influence it had in Canada?
> I shall be pleased to forward any responses. This sounds like a
>Chris Baggs sort of question, but I am sure there are others out there
>who might be able to help!
>
> Keith Manley
>
>
>
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