Temple School opens.

Founded by Bronson Alcott with help from Elizabeth Peabody, it is located in the auditorium of the Masonic Temple at today’s 140 Tremont Street. Alcott’s teaching philosophy is based on the principles of Platonic thought with the goal not so much to impart knowledge as to draw it out of children, and school is also unusual in that it includes girls as well as boys. Most parents withdraw their children, however, after they learn that instruction includes how children are conceived and born. The school closes in 1837 [1841-LitBos] and its furniture is sold to pay debts. Alcott subsequently later writes, “The school was in advance of public opinion and denounced by the newspapers.”(1841-LitBos)