National School of Elocution and Oratory

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National School of Elocution and Oratory
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Information
Other nameShoemaker School of Speech and Drama
Typecollege
Established1873
FoundersJacob and Rachel H. Shoemaker
Closedlate 1930s
PrincipalDora Adele Shoemaker

National School of Elocution and Oratory (later, Shoemaker School of Speech and Drama) was an American school for speech arts, focused on rhetoric and elocution. It was established by Jacob and Rachel H. Shoemaker in Philadelphia, 1873.[1][2] Attention was given to conversation and oratory, vocal culture, reading, and recitation.[3] It awarded Bachelor's and master's degrees. From 1915, their daughter, Dora Adele Shoemaker, served as principal, renaming the school "Shoemaker School of Speech and Drama" and adding coursework in journalism and radio technique. The school closed in the late 1930s.

History[edit]

Professor Jacob W. Shoemaker (1842–1880) studied of the principles of rhetoric and elocution, taught these extensively in institutes throughout Pennsylvania, and from 1866, labored in Philadelphia to build up a school that should embody and present these principles with full effect. His enthusiasm and persistence gradually attracted enough pupils and assistants to enable him to carry out his plans, and in the autumn of 1873, the National School of Elocution and Oratory was established. In 1874, its first catalogue was issued, showing an enrolment of 88 students for that year. In 1875, its scope and course were much extended, and a charter was secured for it from the legislature of the State. By September 1880, it was said that not less than 3,000 students came under its instruction, and that at least 600 lectures and readings were given before educational bodies and lyceums.[1]

Prof. Shoemaker died in 1880, and the institution was carried on for several years under the direction of his widow, Mrs. Shoemaker, who had previously acted as an assistant teacher. In 1886, she was vice-president, the Presidency having been accepted by Dr. Edward Brooks, formerly Principal of the State Normal School at Millersville (now Millersville University of Pennsylvania).[4]

From 1915, Dora Adele Shoemaker served as principal.[5] Renamed the Shoemaker School of Speech and Drama,[6] its course offerings included journalism and radio technique.[7] Dora headed the school until the late 1930s.[8]

Notable alumni[edit]

Selected works[edit]

  • The Elocutionist's Annual.-Philadelphia, The National School of Oratory.[9]
  • Lillle People's Speaker.-Philadelphia, The National School of Oratory.[9]
  • Young Folks' Dialogues.-Philadelphia, The National School of Oratory.[9]
  • Young Folks' Entertainments.—By E. C. and L. J. Rook. Philadelphia, The National School of Oratory.[9]
  • Choice Humor: -For reading and recitation.—Philadelphia, The National School of Oratory.[9]
  • Practical Elocution.-By J. W. Shoemaker. Philadelphia, National School of Elocution and Oratory.[9]
  • Young Folks' Speaker.-Compiled by Mrs. J. W. Shoemaker. Philadelphia, Publication Department National School of Oratory.[9]
  • Dialogues.-Designed for school and social entertainment, entirely new and original. Edited by Mrs. J. W. Shoemaker. Philadelphia, National School of Elocution and Oratory.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION THE YEAR 1880. 1882. p. 281. Retrieved 27 September 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ Who's who in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries. 1904. p. 680. Retrieved 27 September 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ United States Congressional Serial Set. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1878. p. 222. Retrieved 28 September 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ Wickersham, James Pyle (1886). A History of Education in Pennsylvania. Arno Press. p. 440. Retrieved 27 September 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ American College and Private School Directory. Educational Bureau Publishing Company. 1922. p. 215. Retrieved 28 September 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ "Happy Birthday to - - Dora Adele Shoemaker". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 13 August 1938. p. 8. Retrieved 28 September 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "The Shoemaker School of Speech and Drama". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 22 September 1938. p. 22. Retrieved 28 September 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Obituary, Dora Adele Shoemaker". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 19 March 1962. p. 24. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h House documents. 1887. p. 682. Retrieved 27 September 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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