Ernest Horn

Born in Mercer County, Missouri, on July 17, 1882, Ernest Horn became a leading American educator and researcher in reading, spelling, and language teaching. He studied at the University of Missouri and Columbia University, later building a long academic career at the University of Iowa.

Horn is especially remembered for bringing careful research into everyday classroom practice. He wrote and co-wrote widely used educational books, including the Progress in Reading series, and became known for influential work on spelling instruction and basic-skills testing.

He died in Iowa City on November 9, 1967. Later recognition, including induction into the Reading Hall of Fame, reflects how strongly his ideas shaped twentieth-century literacy education.