Samuel Wilderspin

Samuel Wilderspin (1792-1866), a clerk turned educator, was widely known for his pioneering work on infant schools, designed for children ages four through seven. He formed his own infant school in London and from his experiences published On the Importance of Educating the Infant Poor in 1823. He later worked for the Infant School Society, which was founded in 1824. Saffery, an educator herself, may have met Wilderspin on one of her visits to London.