Education and Occupation

The educational opportunities for firstborn gentlemen emphasized a classical education, on the assumption that they’d live off the wealth of the properties they owned (including colonial slave plantations in many cases) while someone else managed them. Second and subsequent sons were likelier to have a slightly more practical education, typically learning estate management, studying the law or to be a member of the clergy, or enlisting in the Army or Navy. A small subset of Regency gentlemen continued their self-education through extensive reading and group activities like scientific societies.

Works Included

The Way to Thrive

Call number: 174.4 B64w

Advice to Young Men

Call number: 308 C636no.6

British education

Call number: 370.942 Sh5b2

Of Education

Call number: 370.1 Of12

England's Battles by Sea and Land

Selected image shows the death of Admiral Nelson.

Call number: 941.081 W67e

The Naval Chronicle.

This is the kind of periodical that the Miss Musgroves from Persuasion might use to track the movements of their friends and loved ones who were serving in the navy, such as Captain Wentworth.

Call number: 359.05 NA