Elisha Ticknor

Elisha Ticknor (25 March 1757 Lebanon, Connecticut - 22 June 1821 Hanover, New Hampshire) was an educator and merchant primarily in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the father of George Ticknor, who became a professor and renowned expert at Harvard University in the history and criticism of Spanish literature.

Biography

In 1774, Ticknor's parents moved their family and farm from Lebanon, Connecticut, to Lebanon, New Hampshire, and he continued helping on it.[1] After he graduated from Dartmouth College in 1783, Ticknor worked as a teacher at various schools. In 1788, he became headmaster of Franklin Grammar School in Boston. After filling this post for several years, he resigned on account of his health. He had married and had a family; his son George Ticknor later became known as an academic at Harvard University, developing its department in the study of Spanish literature and culture.

In 1795, Ticknor became a grocer in Boston. He did well enough to gain time to devote to civic and intellectual interests.[1] He made one of the earliest efforts to improve female education in Massachusetts. He originated the scheme for public primary schools in Boston, proposing them at a town meeting in 1818. He founded the first insurance company in the city, Massachusetts Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and the first savings bank there, Provident Institution for Savings. In 1818, he presented a plan to prevent the causes and perfect the cure of pauperism in Boston. He stressed the importance of reducing illiteracy.[1]

Notes
  1. Robert Francis Seybolt (1936). "Ticknow, Elisha". Dictionary of American Biography. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.

References


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