"THE ORIGIN OF MODERN IDEAS OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY": LOCKE'S SOME THOUGHTS CONCERNING EDUCATION

[LOCKE, John]. Some Thoughts Concerning Education. London: Printed for A.and J. Churchill, 1699 [i.e., 1698]. Small octavo, period-style full speckled paneled calf-gilt, red morocco spine label, raised bands. $3500.

Early (fourth) edition of Locke's important anonymously published "excellent little treatise" (DNB) on education. "Historians and theorists of education trace the origin of modern ideas of developmental psychology to Locke" (Attig).

"Locke's thoughts on education have maintained their popularity and influence since they were first published in 1693. He wrote during an era when children were coming to be seen as children, as human beings in a family and social setting who had not yet developed their bodies and minds. Historians and theorists of education trace the origin of modern ideas of developmental psychology to Locke" (Attig, x). "Some Thoughts Concerning Education was the final result of Locke's productive years in Holland. The work began as a series of letters written during 1684 to his friend Edward Clarke, giving advice on the upbringing of Clarke's children… The letters to Clarke were full of practical advice from the pragmatic physician on such matters as clothing and diet. Locke was also concerned with the child's moral development, stressed the importance of habits of mind, and cautioned against willfulness and 'love of dominion.' He was less concerned (in comparison with other writers on education) with setting out a detailed course of reading and study" (Attig 522). First published in 1693; this copy is fourth edition. "The edition was published late in November 1698, presumably when the Churchills had used up their stock of the 3rd edition [1695]. The title-page date of 1699 reflects the usual practice of dating works published late in the year with the following year's date. This work is largely a reprint of the third… the only large addition occurs in [section] 167, the section headed 'Latin,' where more details about the skills of a tutor or teacher needed to encourage and instruct his pupil are described" (Yolton 168). "The English editions of Thoughts which appeared in Locke's lifetime were anonymous" (Christophersen, 57), although some foreign translations listed Locke as the author. Yolton 168. Attig 525. Owner ink signatures to title page.

Interior generally clean, beautifully bound in period-style calf-gilt, an excellent copy.