author
Arthur O. Norton
1869–1959
A historian of education and longtime Wellesley College professor, he wrote clear, source-rich works that helped readers see how schools and universities developed over time. His books are especially valued for bringing together original documents and historical context in an accessible way.
1 Audiobook
Readings in the History of Education: Mediaeval Universities
by Arthur O. Norton
About the author
Arthur O. Norton, also known as Arthur Orlo Norton, was an American scholar of education born in 1869 and died in 1959. He is best known for writing and editing works on the history of education, including Readings in the History of Education: Mediaeval Universities and The First State Normal School in America. His writing focused on how educational institutions were shaped by earlier traditions and ideas.
Norton taught at Wellesley College, where he became a professor of education and was later remembered as the first chair of the college’s Education Department. He also had ties to Harvard’s graduate education program as a lecturer. His academic work centered on teacher education and the historical roots of schooling, which gave his books a careful, documentary style.
What makes Norton interesting as an author is his commitment to letting historical sources speak for themselves. Rather than writing only broad summaries, he often gathered journals, records, and other firsthand materials to show how education worked in practice. That makes his work still useful for readers who enjoy the history of ideas, universities, and teaching.