author
Arthur William Dunn
1868–1927
Best known for shaping how civics was taught in American schools, this educator wrote practical books that connected citizenship with everyday community life. His work helped bring social studies into the classroom in a more modern, hands-on way.
1 Audiobook
Community Civics and Rural Life
by Arthur William Dunn
About the author
Born in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1868, Arthur William Dunn was an American educator who studied at Knox College and the University of Chicago. He began his career at the University of Cincinnati, teaching English and lecturing in sociology.
Dunn became especially influential through his work in history, civics, and education reform. He led the department of history and civics at the Illinois State Normal School for about a decade, later worked with the United States Bureau of Education, and was associated with efforts to rethink how young people were taught citizenship.
He is remembered today for books such as Citizenship in School and Out and Community Civics and Rural Life, as well as for work connected with The Social Studies in Secondary Education. Rather than treating civics as a dry list of facts, he emphasized community life, participation, and the habits of responsible citizenship.