George received most of his education at home by his father and mother
until his father died, when young George was just eleven. His mother
carefully and consistently provided him with religious teaching from the
Bible. Throughout his remaining childhood, he was taught primarily by
family members. He grew up to become a businessman, a statesman, a
brilliant general, and the first president of the United States.
An impressionable young boy, Tom, was taught to read and write by his
father at home, who encouraged him to master languages, both classical and
modern, along with riding horses and canoes, and hunting. As an adult,
this young boy became involved in drafting the Declaration of
Independence, and served as our third president.
Little Jimmy was taught to read and write by his mother and grandmother,
and his father taught him his obligations to community service. He later
was tutored at home by Reverend Thomas Martin. James Madison later served
in the presidency after Jefferson, and became a strong protector of
religious freedom.
Johnny was completely home schooled until he was twelve years old. At
home, his mother strongly committed the word to him and inspired in him a
love for literature. He entered Harvard at the age of fourteen. He too had
the opportunity to serve his country as our sixth president.
Young Abe received all his instruction, except one year, through home
instruction. Since his own library was limited, he would walk to other
households, reading nearly every book within several miles. His godly
character was instilled in him through his family education, helping him
during the difficult years of our Civil War.
President Theodore Roosevelt received and excellent education from his
family through home schooling. Franklin D. Roosevelt was taught at home
where he received a thorough education and was trained in French and
German. At age fourteen, he was enrolled in Groton School and four years
later, he entered Harvard.
President Woodrow Wilson received most of his pre-college instruction
through home education. His father, Joseph Wilson, would take young
Woodrow on regular field trips to neighboring cities, cotton gins, mills,
and factories. Afterward, he would ask his son questions and have him
write down what he saw and learned.
John was taught to read at home and eventually was able to recite much of
the Old Testament. He entered the University of Edinburgh at age thirteen.
He dedicated his life to applying the Word of God to everything he did.
Reverend Witherspoon was later a member of the New Jersey Senate, and
president of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University). While
he served as president of this college, from 1768 to 1794, an average of
eighteen students graduated per year. Of those, 114 became ministers, 13
were state governors, 3 were U.S. Supreme Court judges, 20 were U.S.
Senators, 33 were U.S. Congressmen, Aaron Burr, Jr. became Vice-President,
and James Madison became President.
Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, printer, inventor, and U. S.
minister, Ben Franklin was home schooled.
Florence Nightingale and her sister were instructed by their father, who
taught them English grammar, history, philosophy, Latin, French, Greek,
German, and Italian. He even taught them to read the Bible from the Greek.
Patrick Henry, orator, speaker for independence, framer, lawyer, and
governor of Virginia went to school for a few years but was pulled out at
age ten to be instructed by his father, who taught him Math, Greek, Latin,
Bible, and the classics.
John Jay, one of the authors of The Federalist Papers, chief justice of
the U.S. Supreme Court and governor of New York, was also taught at home
for several years.
John Marshall, soldier, lawyer, diplomat, and also Chief Justice of the
U.S. Supreme Court was home schooled.
John and Charles Wesley, renowned preacher and missionary/songwriter,
respectively, were taught at home by their mother, Susanna Wesley. In
fact, Susanna taught all of her children at home.
Jonathan Edwards, a Calvinist preacher, theologian, and author, was
educated entirely at home by his father. He went on to become one of the
most effective and influential preachers during the Great Awakening.
William Carey was taught by his father. He was instilled with a desire to
read everything, and spent much of his time collecting specimens as he
studied insects and plants. He became a cobbler, scholar, linguist,
botanist, and missionary to India. He is known today as the "father of
modern missions."
Dwight L. Moody, famous evangelist, had the equivalent of a fifth grade
education with the rest of his learning taking place at home or at work.
General Robert E. Lee, a brilliant southern general, president of
Washington and Lee University in Virginia, and dedicated Christian, was
taught at home by his mother.
General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, another famous southern General, man
of God, and contemporary of Lee, was taught at home by his mother until
age seven when he was orphaned.
General George Patton, who grew up in a remote part of Texas was primarily
educated at home. He served in WW II, winning many victories against
Hitler's Nazi Germany.
General Douglas MacArthur, who grew up in a succession of army posts, was
educated at home. He led American soldiers to victory against the Japanese.
Booker T. Washington, scientist and founder and president of Tuskegge
Normal and Industrial Institute, taught himself to read by using Noah
Webster's "blue black speller" and by the constant support and common
sense of his mother. By age thirteen he was prepared enough through his
self-taught home education to enter an agricultural institute.
Industrialist Andre Carnegie and inventor Thomas Edison were schooled
primarily through home education. Edison was expelled from public school
at age seven because he was considered "addled" by his schooling. Over the
next three years, his mother taught him the basics at home, and as Edison
himself stated, "She instilled in me the love and purpose of learning."
Famous author, Mark Twain, who wrote many American classics, was taught at
home. Also authors Agatha Christie, Pearl S. Buck, and George Bernard Shaw
were educated at home.
Photographer Ansel Adams, a "hyperactive" child, was removed from school
and taught by his father at home.30
Several renowned artists were taught at home by their parents, including
John Singleton Copley and Rembrandt Peale. Newell and Carol Wyeth removed
their son Andrew from public school after only two weeks and instructed
him at home.
Blaise Pascal, scientist, who invented the calculating machine (forerunner
of the computer), discovered the theory of probability and the principle
of the vacuum, and helped shape the field of calculus, was taught at home.
Author C. S. Lewis was taught by his mother until she died when he was
ten. She had already taught him French and Latin, preparing him well for
preparatory school, which he entered at age thirteen. He became a strong
Christian and author of famous works.
Author Charles Dickens was taught reading, writing, and Latin from his
mother and began working at age twelve.
Artist Clause Monet said, "It was at home that I learned the little that I
know."
John Newton, hymn writer and London preacher, was taught at home by his
mother until age seven when she died. His best-known song is "Amazing
Grace."
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born in Vienna, was primarily taught by his
father. His education began when he was four. At six, he wrote his first
minuet; by nine he wrote his first symphony; at eleven he wrote his first
oratorio; and by twelve he composed his first opera.
Felix Mendelssohn's first teacher was his mother who, among other
subjects, taught him music, the tradition of hard work, and self-denial,
until he was tutored at age eleven. He became a renowned composer and
conductor.
Will your child be the next inductee?
Compiled by Christopher J.
Klicka in his Book The Right Choice: Home Schooling. Noble
Publishing Associates, ©1995