Lots here, but I was caught by the comment about the Open University. For two reasons, the fact that Harold Wilson called it his proudest achievement… and that we’re going to an event there on Thursday as a friend and colleague of my partner is giving her Professorial Lecture.
The Open University are great. Last year, we did some work with them on improving accessibility of our library catalogues, and the OU created a free online course for librarians worldwide, who use the same system, to learn how to make their catalogues accessible too. Isn't that marvellous? And so on-brand!
Meanwhile, how fascinating to read about Maurice. I got stuck in reading about 18th and 19th-C Calvinists and Baptists and there was an educational angle to that (there were issues with ministers having theological arguments and struggling because they mostly had only basic education and were autodidacts). I have a feeling Maurice came up in all of that. I love the description of his home life - all the religious fervour, varying views and women passed out on chaises....
No idea how I discovered this blog, but it just gets better and better ☺️
F D Maurice has not been forgotten by the co-operative movement. I found out about him when reading about workers' co-ops. There is a long, fruitful, but often painful history to be uncovered about the interaction between middle-class Christian paternalism and workers' movements. But, as the US Catholic activist Dorothy Day used to say, we must seek 'concordances, not differences' - I think Maurice would have seconded that.
Definitely Harold was so proud.. I'm really looking forward to writing the next few pieces
Lots here, but I was caught by the comment about the Open University. For two reasons, the fact that Harold Wilson called it his proudest achievement… and that we’re going to an event there on Thursday as a friend and colleague of my partner is giving her Professorial Lecture.
The Open University are great. Last year, we did some work with them on improving accessibility of our library catalogues, and the OU created a free online course for librarians worldwide, who use the same system, to learn how to make their catalogues accessible too. Isn't that marvellous? And so on-brand!
Meanwhile, how fascinating to read about Maurice. I got stuck in reading about 18th and 19th-C Calvinists and Baptists and there was an educational angle to that (there were issues with ministers having theological arguments and struggling because they mostly had only basic education and were autodidacts). I have a feeling Maurice came up in all of that. I love the description of his home life - all the religious fervour, varying views and women passed out on chaises....
No idea how I discovered this blog, but it just gets better and better ☺️
F D Maurice has not been forgotten by the co-operative movement. I found out about him when reading about workers' co-ops. There is a long, fruitful, but often painful history to be uncovered about the interaction between middle-class Christian paternalism and workers' movements. But, as the US Catholic activist Dorothy Day used to say, we must seek 'concordances, not differences' - I think Maurice would have seconded that.
Proud to have taught for the WEA at one time. A fantastic organization. What a lasting influence FD Maurice had.
Such an interesting essay and what a fascinating figure Maurice was. Thank you!, Sarah!