Author: Charles A. McMurry

Charles Alexander Mc Murry (1857-1929) was an educationalist and pioneer in the development of curriculum and methods for teacher education. He was closely associated with the influential Normal School movement in the United States, particularly known for his tenure at the Northern Illinois Normal School. Mc Murry”s pedagogical theories were innovative for his time, stressing the importance of using complete literary works as opposed to extracts in the classroom. His seminal work, “Special Method in the Reading of Complete English Classics, ” delves into the practice of teaching literature by encouraging the longitudinal study of a single author or text to provide deeper understanding and literary appreciation among students. His literary style is marked by clarity and a straightforward approach to educational theory, aligning with the pragmatic educational reforms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Academics and educators cite Mc Murry”s contributions to the practice of English teaching and teacher training as foundational to modern methods. His body of work reflects his dedication to improving education and his belief in the transformative power of literature to cultivate a thinking and empathetic citizenry.