The Guardian of Education

Half-length seated portrait of an elderly woman in 18th-century dress with white lace cap. She is surrounded by books and papers and is holding a quill pen.
Sarah Trimmer, editor of The Guardian of Education, painted by Henry Howard in 1798

The Guardian of Education was the first successful periodical dedicated to reviewing children's literature in Britain.[1] It was edited by 18th-century educationalist, children's author, and Sunday school advocate Sarah Trimmer and was published from June 1802 until September 1806 by J. Hatchard and F. C. and J. Rivington.[2] The journal offered child-rearing advice and assessments of contemporary educational theories, and Trimmer even proffered her own educational theory after evaluating the major works of the day.

Fearing the influence of French Revolutionary ideals, particularly those of philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Trimmer emphasized orthodox Anglicanism and encouraged the perpetuation of the contemporary social and political order. Despite her conservatism, however, she agreed with Rousseau and other progressive educational reformers on many issues, such as the damaging effects of rote learning and the irrationalism of fairy tales.

The Guardian of Education was the first periodical to review children's books seriously and with a distinctive set of criteria. Trimmer's reviews were carefully thought out; they influenced publishers and authors to alter the content of their books, helped to define the new genre of children's literature, and greatly affected the sales of children's books. The Guardian also offered the first history of children's literature; establishing a list of landmark books, which scholars still use today.[3]

  1. ^ Grenby, "Introduction", xiv.
  2. ^ Trimmer, Guardian of Education, title pages. Presumably this was John Hatchard (1768–1849), founder of Hatchard's of Piccadilly. For a history, see Arthur Lee Humphreys, Piccadilly Bookmen: Memorials of the House of Hatchard, London: Hatchards (1893). Retrieved 3 January 2009.
  3. ^ Grenby, "Introduction", xl.