Expert: Joseph Logue - 3/13/2007

Question
during the 1850s in England, where did young gentlemen go for schooling? I know it wasn't Eton, because according to my research, they only attended that kind of school until they were 18? or am I wrong? But I'm searching for a school where a young gentleman can study at when he is about 24 years old? Or 21? I read in this one book of a young man studying at cambridge university.

Oh yes, and what was their day schedual? Where did they sleep? When were their holidays?  

Answer
Hello June,

In the 1850s, as for centuries before and ever since, young boys did indeed go to schools like Eton, Harrow, Winchester, et al., in preparation for entering universities such as Cambridge and Oxford.  They would generally enter them around the age of 18.  By the age of 24 most people have graduated from universities unless they are going directly for advanced degrees.  24, as such, is indeed a young age but also an age when most schooling is done.

I do not know their daily schedule; they slept (usually) in dorms; their holidays most likely came in summer, Christmas, Easter, etc.  

Sincerely,

Joseph Logue