In several recent reviews, Scotland’s long term commitment to mass education has been well and truly praised. From before the time of the Reformation, many individuals created charitable foundations to provide instruction in reading and writing Latin to complement the catechetical work of the churches. Following the first stage of the Reformation in Scotland, from at least the year 1520, as the Bible began to be translated into English or Scots, the General Assembly required each parish to instruct all children in the elements of reading (writing was somewhat less widely taught at first) sufficient to open Scripture for themselves.
From that base, it is true, Scotland became possibly the most literate nation in the world by the middle of the 18th century.
Such esteem for learning was not universal. In Volume 2 of
David Hume of Godscroft’s The History of the House of Angus edited by David Reid (Scottish Text Society 2005), the subject is Archibald [Douglas], third of that name and 9th Earl of Angus, born about 1555. From age 15, Archibald lived at court in Edinburgh with his uncle and a private tutor, John Provaine “who endeavoured to instruct him in the Latine tongue, and taught him his Logicks & Rhetoricks, but with such successe as is customable to youth and Nobilitie. Nature, councell, and example drawing them rather to the exercises of the body, which are more agreeable to their inclination, and are esteemed more fit and proper for their place. Whereas Letters are thought onely necessary and usefull for mean men, who intend to live by them, and make profession of some Art or Science for their maintenance, but no wayes either suitable or requisite in Noblemen, and such as are of any eminent rank or degree. For these they are judged to be too base, and he that affects them, pedantick and of a mean spirit. Nay, most men do accompt the studie and knowledge of them prejudiciall, hurtfull, and no small let and impediment to politick activeness, and that it doth abate the courage of the minde and vigour of action, which is requisite for their charge and calling of being States-men and Warriours. A perverse and pernitious Tenent … [contrary to the example of the Great Worthies]. And yet (we heare) that the Nobility (in France especially) accompt it a reproach to be called or esteemed learned, and deem it honourable to be illiterate and ignorant.
“Much good may this honourable ignorance do them, ere any wise man envie it. As for the Earle of Angus, sore did he repent him of this neglect; and greatly did he blame himself for it, especially during his last banishment … .” [p 276-277]
It is easy to see that we need to have a care about making sweeping generalizations about attitudes toward education in Scotland of old. Some of the attitudes expressed above may apply here and there in our contemporary society. BPS
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