Liberal Statesman who Established India’s first Department of Education Will Establish a College for India’s Youth

Wood, Charles

ALS : Autograph Letter Signed

HALIFAX, Sir Charles Wood, 1st Viscount, (1800-1885). Liberal Statesman, Secretary for India 1859-1866). Autograph Letter Signed to H. Reckitts addressing Halifax’ broad education program that he instituted across India. 4 pages. Balmoral, September 5, 1864.

During his tenure first as President of the Board of Control, then as Secretary of State for India, Wood wrote a missile which became known as Wood’s Despatch, wherein he recommended that an education department be established in every province, universities on the model of those in Britain be established in major cities, and that public schools should be opened and aid provided to private schools. He also recommended including the native tongues in the curriculum of every province. Here, he writes to Reckitts, “Mr [Algernon] West has ... sent me the printed letter with numerous signatures of Indian Civil Servants as to the establishment of a College for the education of the young Civilians. It is a very interesting and important subject and it requires very careful attention. I need hardly assure you .. that it ... will receive the best attention which the members of the Indian Council and I myself can give to it.” There is little reason to doubt Wood’s words given his stellar record on education in India.

Item #16081

Price: $125.00