Horace Mann

Horace Mann (1796–1859) was an American educational reformer, politician, and abolitionist known as the Father of American Education for his advocacy of universal public schooling.[1][2] As Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education from 1837, he overhauled the state's education system, established normal schools for teacher training, and promoted nonsectarian, publicly funded education accessible to all children.[1][4] He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives and as president of Antioch College until his death.[1][2]