--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Notwithstanding the very prevalent…" description: "\"“Notwithstanding the very prevalent impression, indeed we might say the practically universal persuasion, that there was nothing worth while talking ab..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/609/james-joseph-walsh-93009_american-history_notwithstanding-the-very-prevalent-impre_2921431.jpg" --- # Notwithstanding the very prevalent impression, indeed we… ![“Notwithstanding the very prevalent impression, indeed we might say the practically universal persuasion, that there was nothing worth while talking about in any department of education in America before the nineteenth century, except what little there was in the English colonies, and while it is…” quote by James Joseph Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/609/james-joseph-walsh-93009_american-history_notwithstanding-the-very-prevalent-impre_2921431.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/609/james-joseph-walsh-93009_american-history_notwithstanding-the-very-prevalent-impre_2921431.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/609/james-joseph-walsh-93009_american-history_notwithstanding-the-very-prevalent-impre_2921431.jpg) > ““Notwithstanding the very prevalent impression, indeed we might say the practically universal persuasion, that there was nothing worth while talking about in any department of education in America before the nineteenth century, except what little there was in the English colonies, and while it is confidently assumed that above all science received no attention from our Southern neighbors, Spanish America not only surpassed English America in education, but far outdistanced English America in what was accomplished for scientific research and the evolution of the knowledge of a large number of scientific subjects in a great many ways. Even those among us who thought themselves well read in American history have, as a rule, known almost nothing of this until comparatively recent years. Professor Bourne of Yale, whose untimely death deprived the United States of a distinguished historical scholar, was the first to point out emphatically how far ahead of the English were the Spanish colonies in every mode of education, but particularly in the cultivation of science. In many places Prescott had more than hinted at this, but the materials for the whole story were not available until our time.”” [James Joseph Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joseph-walsh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that Spanish colonies surpassed English America in education and science before the 19th century, challenging common narratives. **In simple terms:** Spanish America led in education and science earlier than thought. Key Takeaway Recognize overlooked histories. Themes history education science colonialism Mood inquisitive critical Type analytical historical When to use this quote - academic research - curriculum development - public discourse Key Concepts historical revisionism comparative education Questions to Reflect On - What other histories are underrepresented? - How can curricula reflect this? 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Even those among us who thought themselves well read in American history have, as a rule, known almost nothing of this until comparatively recent years. Professor Bourne of Yale, whose untimely death deprived the United States of a distinguished historical scholar, was the first to point out emphatically how far ahead of the English were the Spanish colonies in every mode of education, but particularly in the cultivation of science. 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