00.5 - Preface

PREFATORY NOTE THE SEVEN LAWS OF TEACHING was first published in 1884.Extensive changes were made in 1917 by William C. Bagley and Warren K. Layton, both of the School of Education at the University of Illinois. However, every effort was made to retain both the form and substance of the original. Baker Book House first reprinted this revised edition in 1954. Frequent re-printings point to the timelessness of the content of THE SEVEN LAWS OF TEACHING.

JOHN MILTON GREGORY The author of this book, John Milton Gregory, was one of the educational leaders of the generation that has just passed from the stage. He was born at Sand Lake, in Rensselaer County, New York, on July 6th, 1822. His early training was obtained in the district schools and he became himself a district-school teacher at the age of seventeen. Three years later, apparently destined for the profession of law, he entered Union College at Schenectady, New York, but after graduating in 1846, he gave up the study of law to enter the ministry of the Baptist Church. His heart, however, was in teaching, and in1852 he became head of a classical school in Detroit, Michigan. Almost immediately he was recognized as a leader in the educational councils of the state. He was active in the affairs of the State Teachers’ Association and was one of the founders and the first editor of the "Michigan Journal of Education." His intimate knowledge of educational affairs and his popularity among the teachers led to his election in 1858 to the State superintendency of public instruction, an office to which he was twice reelected. He declined a fourth nomination in 1864 when, as president of Kalamazoo College, he entered upon a new phase of his career -- the organization of institutions for higher education. In 1868, when the University of Illinois was established under the name, "Illinois State Industrial University," Dr. Gregory was asked to undertake the organization of the new institution. His work for thirteen years in laying the foundation of one of the largest and strongest of the state universities gives him a secure place in the history of American education. After leaving the University of Illinois he served for some time as a member of the United States Civil Service Commission. The great work of his life, however, was the organization of the University, and just before he died in 1898 he asked that his body be laid to rest within the campus of the school for which he had done so much. This request was reverently complied with.

Dr. Gregory’s book, "The Seven Laws of Teaching," was first published it 1884. A clear and simple statement of the important factors governing the art of teaching, it has been especially successful as a handbook for Sunday school teachers. In recognition of Dr. Gregory’s great service to the University of Illinois, two members of the School of Education undertook the revision of the book which is here presented.