Horace Mann

Horace Mann (1796-1859) was an American educational reformer and politician, best known for his advocacy of public education and his efforts to establish a system of universal schooling in the United States. A prominent figure in the 19th-century reform movement, Mann believed that education was a fundamental right and a means to improve society. He served as the first Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education and was instrumental in the establishment of normal schools for teacher training. In addition to his educational work, Mann was also an outspoken critic of slavery, as evidenced in his notable work "Slavery: Letters and Speeches," where he articulated the moral and social implications of the institution.