Sarah Trimmer
Sarah Trimmer, born Sarah Kirby on January 6, 1741, in Ipswich, England, was a significant figure in 18th-century education and literature, particularly in relation to children's moral instruction. The daughter of John Joshua Kirby, a knowledgeable layman, she received a robust theological education that shaped her future writings. After marrying James Trimmer in 1762, she became a mother of twelve and began creating educational materials for her children, leading to her first publication, "An Easy Introduction to the Knowledge of Nature," in 1780.
Trimmer is best known for her influential work, "Fabulous Histories," published in 1786, which aimed to teach children the proper treatment of animals while blending Christian values with the philosophical ideas of her time. Her advocacy for the education of the poor included opening Sunday schools and charity schools, focusing on moral and religious instruction for children and young adults. Through her writings, such as "The Servant's Friend" and "The Two Farmers," she promoted benevolence and diligence, emphasizing the importance of moral education in service roles. Trimmer also contributed to the field of children's literature through her journal, "Guardian of Education," which critiqued literature for young readers. Her work left a lasting impact on educational practices and children's literature in England.
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Sarah Trimmer
- Born: January 6, 1741
- Birthplace: Ipswich, England
- Died: December 15, 1810
Biography
Born Sarah Kirby on January 6, 1741, in Ipswich, England, Trimmer was the only daughter of Sarah Bull and John Joshua Kirby. Although she attended an Ipswich boarding school as a day scholar, her father, renowned for his knowledge of divinity and admitted to the local clerical club as a layman, fostered her theological and biblical education. In1755, her father was appointed to tutor Prince George, the future George III, so the family moved to London. Here, Trimmer was introduced to literary and philosophical luminaries of the day, such as Samuel Johnson and Sir Joshua Reynolds. When the family later moved to Kew in 1759, Sarah met her future husband, James Trimmer. They married in 1762, moving to James Trimmer’s estate at Old Brentford, near London.
As a mother of twelve, Trimmer created lessons for her own children. Her earliest publication, An Easy Introduction to the Knowledge of Nature, and Reading the Holy Scriptures compiled those lessons. First published in 1780, it reached an eleventh printing in 1802. Her second work combined six volumes of dramatic wood engravings with explanatory text of scenes from scripture and history. The collection, published between 1782 and 1784, was titled Sacred History, Selected from the Scriptures, with Annotations and Reflections Adapted to the Comprehension of Young Persons. Trimmer is best known for Fabulous Histories, Designed for the Instruction of Children, Respecting Their Treatment of Animals, published in 1786. It went through four revisions, eventually reissued as The History of Robins, Designed to Teach Children the Proper Treatment of Animals in 1870. It blends Christian piety with the popular philosophy of the day, Universal Benevolence, in which the hierarchy of life is explained and although all levels deserve compassion, sympathy must never interfere with the natural order of life. This book, among her most popular, remained in print until shortly after World War I.
While Trimmer’s early writing stemmed from concern for the moral education of children, her later work encompassed the education of members of the poorer classes, both children and adults. On May 18, 1786 she opened her first Sunday school for the children of the poor at Old Brentford. Later, she opened charity schools for young girls to train them for industry. Her writings now turned to didactic tales used to convince parents that the morals taught in these schools and Sunday schools would serve their children well. In 1786, she wrote The Servant’s Friend: An Exemplary Tale, Designed to Enforce the Religious Instructions given at Sunday and Other Charity Schools, by Pointing out the Practical Applications of Them in a State of Service about choosing kind and moral masters and then serving them well. This tale continues in The Two Farmers: An Exemplary Tale, Designed to Recommend the Practice of Benevolence, Towards Mankind, and All Other Living Creatures, and the Religious Observance of the Sabbath Day, which follows the main character from the first tale who prospers through diligent servitude. This premise continued in a magazine for servants, published in 1788 and 1789.
Trimmer continued her work as a noted author, educator, and Sunday School founder. Between 1802 and 1806 she also published a journal, Guardian of Education, which contained early criticism of literature in English appropriate for children.