Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Cornwell, James
CORNWELL, JAMES (1812–1902), writer of school books, born in East London on 4 August 1812, was one of nine children of James Cornwell, silk manufacturer, and his wife Mary Blake. Up to the age of fifteen he was mainly self-taught. He then studied at the model school of the Borough Road Training College of the British and Foreign School Society, and by August 1829 was a full-fledged student. In the early part of 1830 he was sent as a teacher on supply to the society's schools at Brighton and Chelmsford, and in October to Lindfield in Sussex. He returned to the college in January 1833 for a short period of training.
In April 1835 the society appointed him organiser of country schools, his duty being to 'organise new schools' and assist newly appointed masters in obtaining 'good discipline by moral means.' In October 1839 he was appointed normal school teacher and inspector, and from 1835 worked both in the training college and as an inspector outside. In 1846, when the training department of the institution in the Borough Road became recognised by the privy council as a grant-earning normal college, Cornwell was appointed by the British and Foreign School Society its head teacher or principal. Under his care the institution greatly developed and took a high position among the normal colleges of the country. His lectures were clear, pertinent, and accurate, and he showed much ability in practical teaching. In principles and methods of school management he anticipated many later results of educational science and experience.
In 1841 Cornwell began to publish school-books which in simplicity of style and practical usefulness were far in advance of the text-books of their day and deservedly enjoyed a universal vogue. He shares with J. T. Crossley, (Sir) Joshua Girling Fitch [q. v. Suppl. II), and Henry Dunn the merit of having devised the modern school-book. In collaboration with Dr. Allen he issued 'A New English Grammar' (1841, 12mo), 'An English School Grammar' (18mo), and 'Grammar for Beginners' (1855, 12mo; 90th edit. 1904). His popular 'School Geography,' first published in 1847, passed through ninety editions. Memorial editions of the 'Grammar for Beginners' and of the 'Geography' were published in 1904.
After his resignation of the principalship at Borough Road in 1885, Cornwell devoted his leisure to writing new educational works or revising former ones. He was fond of music and of the study of nature. For sixteen years he resided at a house he built for himself, Loughborough Park Villa, Brixton, and then removed to Purbrook, Crescent Wood Road, Sydenham, where he died on 12 Dec. 1902. He was buried in Norwood cemetery.
Cornwell received the degree of Ph.D. from a German university in 1847, and in 1860 he became a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. A portrait, painted by J. R. Dicksee, was presented by the artist to the Borough Road Training College in Nov. 1903, and is now at the College, Isleworth (cf. reproduction in the Educational Record, Feb. 1904).
Cornwell married on 19 Nov. 1840 Mary Ann Wilson of Besthorpe, Nottinghamshire. There was one daughter of the marriage.
Other works not mentioned above are: 1. ‘The Young Composer, or Progressive Exercises in Composition,’ 1844, 12mo; 17th edit. 1855. 2. ‘Complete Guide to English Composition,’ founded on the above; 49th edit. 1904. 3. ‘Geography for Beginners,’ 1858, 12mo; 70th edit. 1904. In collaboration with Sir Joshua Fitch he published ‘The Science of Arithmetic’ (1855, 12mo; new edit. 1878) and ‘Arithmetic for Beginners’ (1858, 12mo; another edit. 1872).
[The Times, 15 Dec. 1902; Educational Record, xvi.; private information.]