The Teacher

The Education Act of 1872 in theory made primary education compulsory, and this looks like one of Maryhill’s first primary teachers. According to A Thomson’s Maryhill (1895) there were three primaries – Maryhill Public School, East Park Public School, and Church Street Public School, one of which is illustrated above.

The map, interestingly, shows England. It is possible that the teacher was John Russell, parish teacher and session clerk. The Glasgow Post Office Directory for 1877-8, however, gives another Public School teacher, a James A Miller. Although education was free, parents had to pay towards the cost of books. Note the children’s tackety boots.