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James Pillans
FRSE Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) is an award granted to individuals that the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland's national academy of science and letters, judged to be "eminently distinguished in their subject". This soci ...
(1778–1864) was a Scottish classical scholar and educational reformer. He is credited with inventing the
blackboard A blackboard (also known as a chalkboard) is a reusable writing surface on which text or drawings are made with sticks of calcium sulphate or calcium carbonate, known, when used for this purpose, as chalk. Blackboards were originally made of ...
, but more correctly was the inventor of coloured chalk.


Early life

The son of James Pillans, he was born at Sheriff Brae in
Leith Leith (; gd, Lìte) is a port area in the north of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, founded at the mouth of the Water of Leith. In 2021, it was ranked by '' Time Out'' as one of the top five neighbourhoods to live in the world. The earliest ...
in April 1778. His father was a merchant and then a printer in
Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...
, creating
Pillans & Wilson Pillans and Wilson was an Edinburgh printers operating from the Scottish Enlightenment onwards, with a number of well-known clients. They existed from 1775 to 2002. History The firm was founded by James Pillans (b.1745 and father of Prof. James Pi ...
. He was also an elder in the Anti-Burgher branch of the
Scottish Secession Church The United Secession Church (or properly the United Associate Synod of the Secession Church) was a Scottish Presbyterian denomination. The First Secession from the established Church of Scotland had been in 1732, and the resultant "Associate Pre ...
, of
Adam Gib Adam Gib (15 April 1714 – 14 June 1788) was a Scottish religious leader, head of the Antiburgher section of the Scottish Secession Church. He reportedly wrote his first covenant with God in the blood of his own veins. Gib was born in the ...
, and a liberal in politics. Pillans was educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh, under
Alexander Adam Alexander Adam (24 June 174118 December 1809) was a Scottish teacher and writer on Roman antiquities. Life Alexander Adam was born near Forres, in Moray, the son of a farmer. From his earliest years he showed uncommon diligence and persevera ...
, of whom he subsequently contributed a biography to the ''
Encyclopædia Britannica The (Latin for "British Encyclopædia") is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia. It is published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; the company has existed since the 18th century, although it has changed ownership various time ...
''. He was second in the rector's class, after his close friend
Francis Horner Francis Horner FRSE (12 August 1778 – 8 February 1817) was a Scottish Whig politician, journalist, lawyer and political economist. Early life: 1778–1807 He was born in Edinburgh the son of John Horner a linen merchant and his wife Joanna B ...
; another classmate was
John Archibald Murray Sir John Archibald Murray of Henderland, Lord Murray, FRSE (1778–1859) was a Scottish judge and Senator of the College of Justice. Life He was born in Midlothian on 8 June 1778, the second son of Alexander Murray, Lord Henderland, Lord of Se ...
. His father wished to apprentice him to a paper-stainer, but Pillans went on to the
University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...
, where he graduated with an MA on 30 January 1801. He became a pupil of
Andrew Dalzell Andrew Dalzell (sometimes shown as Andrew Dalzel or Andrew Dalziel) FRSE (1742–1806) was a Scottish scholar and prominent figure during the Scottish Enlightenment. In 1783 he was a co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Life He was b ...
, was influenced by Dugald Stewart, and attended the chemistry lectures of Joseph Black. He was a member of the "dialectic society" founded by "Burgher" divinity students in the University. After graduation he acted as tutor, first to
Thomas Francis Kennedy Thomas Francis Kennedy (11 November 17881 April 1879), Scotland, Scottish politician, was born near Ayr in 1788. He studied for the bar and became advocate in 1811. Having been elected Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), Member of Parliament ...
at
Dunure Dunure (Scottish Gaelic: ''Dùn Iùbhair'', meaning Yew Hill) is a small village in the South Ayrshire area of Scotland about from Ayr, Scotland. It is located on the coast of the Firth of Clyde, and is near to Maybole, south of Ayr. The villa ...
, Ayrshire, next in a family in Northumberland, where he had the opportunity of speaking French. He then moved to
Eton Eton most commonly refers to Eton College, a public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. Eton may also refer to: Places *Eton, Berkshire, a town in Berkshire, England * Eton, Georgia, a town in the United States * Éton, a commune in the Meuse dep ...
, as a private tutor.


Educator

On the death of Adam (13 December 1809), Pillans offered himself as a candidate for the rectorship of the Edinburgh High School. With the support of
Robert Blair, Lord Avontoun Robert Blair of Avontoun FRSE (1741–1811) was a Scottish advocate and judge who served as Solicitor General for Scotland from 1789 to 1806, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates from 1801 to 1808, and Lord President of the Court of Session from 1808 ...
he was chosen over Luke Fraser, the internal candidate, despite his Whig politics which counted against him with the Tory town council. In January 1810 Pillans entered on his duties in the old high school, on Infirmary Street, with a class of 144 boys. At the outset he used the tawse, which he later gave up. Pillans introduced a version of the Bell–Lancaster
monitorial system The Monitorial System, also known as Madras System or Lancasterian System, was an education method that took hold during the early 19th century, because of Spanish, French, and English colonial education that was imposed into the areas of expansion. ...
, and his class doubled its numbers. His reputation attracted pupils from far and wide. Another Lancasterian at the High School at this period was
James Gray James, Jim, or Jimmy Gray may refer to: Politicians * James Gray (Australian politician) (1820–1889), member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly * James Gray (British politician) (born 1954), British politician * James Gray (mayor) (1862–1916 ...
. Pillans developed the teaching of classical Greek, which had been begun by Christison in Adam's time; and encouraged the study of classical geography. His pupil
John Brown Patterson John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...
became known as a classical scholar; other pupils were Robert Christison and
Cosmo Nelson Innes Cosmo Nelson Innes FRSE (9 September 1798 – 31 July 1874) was a Scottish advocate, judge, historian and antiquary. He served as Advocate-Depute, Sheriff of Elginshire, and Principal Clerk of Session. He was a skilled decipherer of ancient Sc ...
.


Academic

In 1820 the chair of "humanity and laws" (in effect Latin) at the University of Edinburgh was vacated by the death of
Alexander Christison Alexander Christison FRSE (1751–1820) was a Scottish educator and mathematician during the Scottish Enlightenment. Life He was born in 1753, at Redpath House, Longformacus, Berwickshire. He was the eldest of seven children to a tenant shee ...
. Pillans was elected his successor, and occupied the chair for over 53 years. His position as Rector of the High School was filled by Aglionby Ross Carson. He carried over some of the ideas which he had applied in the High School. He still taught elementary Latin. He believed that universities should supply elementary teaching in classics, and opposed, with
Philip Kelland Philip Kelland PRSE FRS (17 October 1808 – 8 May 1879) was an English mathematician. He was known mainly for his great influence on the development of education in Scotland. Life Kelland was born in 1808 the son of Philip Kelland (d.1847), ...
and others, the institution (May 1855) of an entrance examination to the junior Greek class, though he was in favour of an examination for admission to higher classes. He enlarged the conventional range of classical authors proposed for study. Pillans lectured on "
universal grammar Universal grammar (UG), in modern linguistics, is the theory of the genetic component of the language faculty, usually credited to Noam Chomsky. The basic postulate of UG is that there are innate constraints on what the grammar of a possible hum ...
" and the laws of the twelve tables. A prize was awarded for English recitation,; among those who gained it was Fox Maule, who joined the class when he was quartered with his regiment in
Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Castle is a historic castle in Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. It stands on Castle Rock (Edinburgh), Castle Rock, which has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age, although the nature of the early settlement is unclear. ...
. Pillans was one of the first to teach the revised pronunciation of Latin, though in practice he conformed to the usual Scottish way.


Reformer

During vacations Pillans investigated education in Scotland, and compared it with other countries. He made tours to inspect the systems of
Prussia Prussia, , Old Prussian: ''Prūsa'' or ''Prūsija'' was a German state on the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea. It formed the German Empire under Prussian rule when it united the German states in 1871. It was ''de facto'' dissolved by an em ...
,
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
,
Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
, and
Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
. During the 1830s Pillans is listed as living at 22 Abercromby Place in Edinburgh's Second New Town. Pillans gave evidence to the committee of the House of Commons on education in 1834: on
religious education In secular usage, religious education is the teaching of a particular religion (although in the United Kingdom the term ''religious instruction'' would refer to the teaching of a particular religion, with ''religious education'' referring to te ...
(p. 218), infant schools (p. 227), and teacher training (p. 231). He was an early advocate for
compulsory education Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all people and is imposed by the government. This education may take place at a registered school or at other places. Compulsory school attendance or compulsory schooling ...
, wrote in defence of the classical training, and had advanced views on popular education. He became president of the
Watt Institution and School of Arts Heriot-Watt University ( gd, Oilthigh Heriot-Watt) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was established in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the world's first mechanics' institute, and subsequently granted univ ...
, inaugurating in 1854 the statue of
James Watt James Watt (; 30 January 1736 (19 January 1736 OS) – 25 August 1819) was a Scottish inventor, mechanical engineer, and chemist who improved on Thomas Newcomen's 1712 Newcomen steam engine with his Watt steam engine in 1776, which was fun ...
then in Adam Square.


Last years

Pillans resigned at the close of his 85th year, and took formal leave of the University on 11 April 1863. The degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him on 22 April. He died at his residence, 43 Inverleith Row, on 27 March 1864. He was buried on 1 April in the graveyard of St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh. His grave lies at the west end of the north extension and is beginning to erode.


Works

Pillans wrote for the ''
Edinburgh Review The ''Edinburgh Review'' is the title of four distinct intellectual and cultural magazines. The best known, longest-lasting, and most influential of the four was the third, which was published regularly from 1802 to 1929. ''Edinburgh Review'', ...
'' from 1804, after an introduction by Horner. Unfavourable comments on the
Juvenal Decimus Junius Juvenalis (), known in English as Juvenal ( ), was a Roman poet active in the late first and early second century CE. He is the author of the collection of satirical poems known as the ''Satires''. The details of Juvenal's life ...
translation of
Francis Hodgson Francis Hodgson (16 November 1781 – 29 December 1852; also known as Frank Hodgson in correspondence) was a reforming Provost of Eton, educator, cleric, writer of verse, and friend of Byron. Life Hodgson was born on 16 November 1781, son of Re ...
earned him a swipe in ''
English Bards and Scotch Reviewers ''English Bards and Scotch Reviewers'' is an 1809 satirical poem written by Lord Byron, and published by James Cawthorn in London. Background and description The poem was first published anonymously, in March 1809, and a second, expanded editio ...
''.


Educational writings

A letter from Pillans appeared in
Jeremy Bentham Jeremy Bentham (; 15 February 1748 Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates">O.S._4_February_1747.html" ;"title="Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.html" ;"title="nowiki/>Old Style and New Style dates">O.S. 4 February 1747">Old_Style_and_New_Style_dates.htm ...
's ''Chrestomathia'' (1815). It was entitled ''Successful application of the new system to language-learning'', and dated 1814; it mentions the use of chalk and
blackboard A blackboard (also known as a chalkboard) is a reusable writing surface on which text or drawings are made with sticks of calcium sulphate or calcium carbonate, known, when used for this purpose, as chalk. Blackboards were originally made of ...
in teaching geography. It was followed by a letter from his Edinburgh High School colleague James Gray. ''Letters on the Principles of Elementary Teaching'' (Edinburgh, 1827; 1828; 1855), based on correspondence with his former pupil Kennedy of Dunure, was the statement of Pillans of his method based on his work at the High School, with criticism of the educational state of Scotland. This book proved controversial, being attacked in ''Letters addressed to the Parochial Schoolmasters of Scotland'' (1829), reviewed negatively in the '' Edinburgh Literary Journal'' which defended Pillans. In the same year a long article in the ''
Quarterly Review The ''Quarterly Review'' was a literary and political periodical founded in March 1809 by London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River ...
'' vol. LXXVII on elementary teaching called the work of Pillans "very sensible" (p. 114), while advocating the "Bell system" of the National Society schools (p. 120), i.e.
Andrew Bell Andrew Bell may refer to: * Andrew Bell (artist) (born 1978), British-born American toy designer * Andrew Bell (engraver) (1726–1809), Scottish co-founder of the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' * Andrew Bell (educationalist) (1753–1832), Scottish ...
's version of the monitorial system. The review was in fact by Bell, who had met Pillans not long before, and felt that the variant of the "system" that was described in the ''Letters'' did not do justice to his own ideas. Pillans then defended himself and the rival claims of
Joseph Lancaster Joseph Lancaster (25 November 1778 – 23 October 1838) was an English Quaker and public education innovator. He developed, and propagated on the grounds both of economy and efficacy, a monitorial system of primary education. In the first deca ...
's system; and was endorsed by the ''
Eclectic Review ''The Eclectic Review'' was a British periodical published monthly during the first half of the 19th century aimed at highly literate readers of all classes. Published between 1805 and 1868, it reviewed books in many fields, including literature, h ...
''. The principles brought up by Pillans entered the secondary literature. ''Contributions to the Cause of Education'' (1856), dedicated to Lord John Russell, included reprints of earlier works. It also comprised articles in the ''Edinburgh Review'', minutes of evidence, and other material. The blackboard method of "chalk and talk" teaching is also mentioned. Pillans published also: * ''Three Lectures on the Proper Objects and Methods of Instruction'', 1836; and 1854. * ''A Word for the Universities of Scotland'', 1848. * ''The Rationale of Discipline'', 1852 (written in 1823)
Online text.
* ''Educational Papers'', 1862.


Classical studies and geography

* ''Eclogæ Ciceronianæ'', 1845 (includes selections from Pliny's letters). * ''A Discourse on the Latin Authors read … in the earlier Stages of Classical Discipline'', 1847. * ''Outlines of Geography'', 1847. * ''Excerpta ex Taciti Annalibus'', 1848. * ''The Five Latter Books of the First Decade of Livy'', 1849; 1857 * ''First Steps in the Physical and Classical Geography of the Ancient World'', 1853; 10th ed. 1873 (edited by T. Fawcett); 13th ed. 1882. * ''Elements of Physical and Classical Geography'', 1854. His time at Eton led Pillans to value Latin verse composition, which in Scotland was a lost art. A volume of the compositions of his class appeared as ''Ex Tentaminibus Metricis … in Schola Regia Edinensi … electa'', Edinburgh, 1812, dedicated to
Joseph Goodall Joseph Goodall (1760–1840) was an English cleric and Provost of Eton. Life He was born on 2 March 1760, in Westminster, the son of Joseph Goodall, and after attending Eton College he was elected to King's College, Cambridge in 1778. There he g ...
. It was favourably noticed in the ''Edinburgh Review'' (November 1812), but criticised by Robert Southey (or
Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832), was a Scottish novelist, poet, playwright and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European and Scottish literature, notably the novels ''Ivanhoe'', ''Rob Roy (n ...
) in the ''
Quarterly Review The ''Quarterly Review'' was a literary and political periodical founded in March 1809 by London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River ...
'' (December 1812).


Family

Pillans married Helen Thomson (1786-1840), second daughter of Rev Thomas Thomson, minister of Dailly, Ayrshire, sister of
Thomas Thomson Thomas Thomson may refer to: * Tom Thomson (1877–1917), Canadian painter * Thomas Thomson (apothecary) (died 1572), Scottish apothecary * Thomas Thomson (advocate) (1768–1852), Scottish lawyer * Thomas Thomson (botanist) (1817–1878), Scottis ...
and
John Thomson of Duddingston Rev John Thomson FRSE Hon RSA (1 September 177828 October 1840) was a Scottish minister of the Church of Scotland and noted amateur landscape painter. He was the minister of Duddingston Kirk from 1805 to 1840. Life The youngest of eight chi ...
, but was early left a widower without children. Helen is buried separately from James Pillans but lies in the same section of St Cuthbert's Churchyard, against a wall to the south-east of his grave.


Bibliography

*


References


External links

* ;Attribution {{DEFAULTSORT:Pillans, James 1778 births 1864 deaths Scottish educators People educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh Alumni of the University of Edinburgh Academics of the University of Edinburgh