ABSTRACT
Though some information about individual schools can be gleaned from the directories, there are not many institutions about which enough is known to provide a more detailed picture. One of the most interesting experiments of the day was the International College at Spring Grove, Isleworth, opened in 1866–7 under the headmastership of Dr Leonard Schmitz, who had been tutor in Edinburgh to the Prince of Wales. The college formed part of an international education movement which planned to establish schools in several countries as a means of increasing the understanding between nations (Bibby 1956–7:25–36; Stewart and McCann 1967:317–26; VCH Middlesex I (1969): 256–7). Among the promoters of the English college were Richard Cobden, who died before it opened, the philanthropist William Ellis, who advanced a large part of the money for the site and buildings, and the scientists John Tyndall and T.H.Huxley (HSE 203–4; P.N.Farrar 1987:498–515).
