Methodism and Education 1849-1902 : J. H. Rigg, Romanism, and Wesleyan Schools

This book is about the Wesleyan Methodist educational efforts of the Victorian era. It discusses the influence of Dr James Harrison Rigg, Principal of Westminster Training College, who dominated his church and who made friendships with senior politicians of the day. The book also analyses the influence of anti-Catholicism which was rampant in the Methodist church in the nineteenth century.

This book has three interlocking themes. It is concerned first with the advance and subsequent decline of the Wesleyan Methodist efforts in education during the nineteenth century. Secondly, it is about Dr James Harrison Rigg, an irascible and self-opinionated Victorian minister who became Principal of Westminster Methodist Training College and President of the Methodist Conference. He had a dominant influence over his church for many years and dictated its education policy. He also gained the ear of many in government who were formulating educational legislation, and the book assesses his influence on government ideas. The final and overriding theme of the book is the anti-Catholicism within the Methodist church throughout the nineteenth century, which influenced Wesleyan attitudes towards government education policy in general and towards Anglican `Tractarian'' schools in particular. The book is invaluable for students of nineteenth century religious history and is worthwhile for others interested in ecclesiastical history.