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“Like Produces Like”: John Heyl Vincent And His 19th Century Theory Of Character Education, Catherine Ganiere, Scott L. Howell, Richard Osguthorpe

Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

An examination of late 19th century writings about character development by popular educator and revered Methodist bishop John Heyl Vincent (1832–1920) sheds additional insight on early character education theory. Vincent is best known as the cofounder of the Chautauqua movement in 1874. However, his theoretical constructs for character development merit not only acknowledgment in the discipline’s official history but also further investigation and discussion by today’s scholars. The constructs identified from early writings suggest that effective character education occurs in both the home and the school and requires parents and teachers who model good moral character. This article posits the …