Constructing Ionian identities: the Ionian Islands in British official ...

passion, lack of self-control and resulted in disorder and crime, “evils” he identified
in the Ionian character. 40
Douglas was convinced the Ionian character could be transformed through
improved education and legal reform. In 1830s Britain, the educational needs of the
working classes were largely dealt with by the philanthropic endeavours of various
Christian denominations aimed at moral training. 41 This differed from the Academies
for upper class boys, which focused on classical literature and science in preparation
for public service in Britain and colonies. In India the education system instigated by
Macaulay was organised along similar lines, with neo-classical and English literature
central to the government curriculum, aimed at transforming the character and the
morality of Indian people, remaking India “in England’s image”. 42
In the Ionian Islands the first endeavours towards establishing an education
system (primary, secondary and higher) in the Septinsula were made by Lord
Guilford early in the Protectorate. 43 By 1830 there were 126 primary schools in the
Septinsula which, because of fees and agricultural demands on the rural population,
40 Douglas to Glenelg, 6 June 1835, CO 136/75.
41 Watts R., “Knowledge is Power: Unitarians, gender and education in the eighteenth and early
nineteenth century”, Gender and Education, 1, (1), (1989) pp. 35-50; Watts R., The Dissenters,
(Oxford, 1995).
42 Metcalf T. R., Ideologies of the Raj, pp. 39-41.
43 Aggelomati-Tsougaraki E. N., “I periigiseis tou lordou Guilford stin Ellada, [the excursions of Lord
Guilford in Greece] Praktika Pemptou Diethnous Synedriou [Proceedings of the 5 th International
Pan-Ionian Conference], (Argostoli-Lixouri 17-21 May 1986), 2, (Argostoli, 1989), pp. 71-82; Sideri
A., “I Ekpaidevsi sta Eptanisa opos emfanizetai sta pistopoiitika spoudon ton ipomsifion foititon tou
Panepistimiou tis Pizas 1842-1860 [The education in the Septinsula according to the certificates of the
candidates students of the University of Piza 1842-1860), Praktika Ektou Diethnes Panioniou
Synedriou [Proceedings of the 6 th International Pan-Ionian Conference], (Zakynthos, 23-27
September 1997), 3, (Athens 2002), pp. 187-205; Kourkoumelis N. K. I Ekpaidevsi stin Kerkira kata
tin diarkeia tis bretanikis prostasias (1816-1864), [The education in Corfu during British Protection
(1816-1864), (Athens, 2002), and “Lord Guilford and the University of Corfu” in The New Monthly
Magazine, 20, July 1827.
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