Luminaries

Thomas W. Bicknell

Thomas W. Bicknell was a nationally known publisher of educational journals, a writer, and educator. After graduating from Brown University in 1860, Bicknell taught in and was principal of several high schools.

In 1869, he was elected Commissioner of Public Schools of the State of Rhode Island, an office he held until 1875. There he accomplished many things, including the reorganization and building of the Institute of Instruction; a system of teachers' institutes in all parts of the state; school officers' conventions; the creation of the office of superintendent of schools for every town; the creation of a State Board of Education, the creation of the State Normal School; the founding of free evening schools; the school year was made longer than in any other state; laws were enacted to compel the attendance at school for six months in the year of factory workers under the age of fourteen; and teachers' salaries were advanced.

In 1884, Bicknell was elected president of NEA. Bicknell was a member of more than one hundred organizations, president of over thirty, and vice-president of as many more.

In 1883, while president-elect of NEA, Bicknell was troubled by the Association's constant poverty and modest membership. He spent his personal funds traveling the nation, promoting the 1884 convention in Madison, Wisconsin. He met with the press wherever he went, extolling the virtues of NEA and the beauties of the host city. He also persuaded the railroad to offer deeply discounted rail fares to Madison, to collect NEA dues, and to distribute 100,000 copies of a 16-page pamphlet on NEA and Madison (and the cheap railway fares).

It worked—the 1884 convention drew more than 5,000 educators, launching a significant membership and financial breakthrough for NEA.