Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hickson, William Edward
HICKSON, WILLIAM EDWARD (1803–1870), educational writer, born on 7 Jan. 1803, son of William Hickson, boot and shoe manufacturer, of Smithfield, London, by Matilda Underhill, his wife, was brought up to his father's business, in which he early became a partner. He retired in 1840 in order to devote himself to philanthropic and literary pursuits. He was one of the pioneers of national education, and in particular of popular musical culture. A composer of some merit, he published ‘The Singing Master: containing Instructions for Teaching Singing in Schools and Families,’ &c., London, 1836, 8vo, and ‘The Use of Singing as a part of the Moral Discipline of Schools. A Lecture delivered on 29 May 1838 before Members of the Sunday School Union,’ London, 1838, 8vo. Associated with Nassau Senior, the economist, on the royal commission appointed on 14 Sept. 1837 to inquire into the condition of the unemployed handloom weavers in Great Britain and Ireland, he threw himself with great zeal into the work, visiting all the principal seats of the industry in the three kingdoms. In 1840 he returned a separate report (ordered to be printed 11 Aug.), in which he advocated the repeal of the corn laws and the improvement of elementary education. He also signed the joint report of the commissioners (returned 19 Feb. 1841), which was much to the same effect.
In the autumn of 1839 Hickson made a tour in Holland, Belgium, and North Germany, in order to study the national school systems of those countries. The results of his observations appeared in June 1840 in the ‘Westminster Review,’ which he had just purchased, and which he edited until 1852. The article was also published in pamphlet form with a supplement containing the outlines of a scheme of national education based on Dutch and German methods, under the title ‘Dutch and German Schools,’ London, 1840, 8vo. Hickson also published ‘Part Singing; or Vocal Harmony for Choral Societies and Home Circles,’ London, 1842, 4 pts. 8vo, and ‘Time and Faith. An Inquiry into the Data of Ecclesiastical History,’ London, 1857, 2 vols. 8vo. He married, on 15 Sept. 1830, Jane Brown, and died at Fairseat, Sevenoaks, Kent, on 22 March 1870.
[Reports from commissioners; private information; Parl. Papers, 1840–1; Brit. Mus. Cat.]