Working Class Autodidacts: Teaching Themselves

Working class autodidacts refer to individuals in the 18th and 19th centuries who were unable to access formal education and took responsibility for teaching themselves. They were driven by a strong desire for self-improvement and intellectual curiosity. These autodidacts formed their own institutions, such as mutual improvement societies and workers' libraries, where they could discuss various topics and share knowledge. Their stories showcase their remarkable achievements, like William Crooks, who read the Iliad and found inspiration, and Welsh miners who discovered Greek philosophy. Their pursuit of knowledge without formal education demonstrates the power of self-motivated learning.