William Holmes McGuffey – 1800-1873

A professor at Miami University of Ohio, McGuffey wrote and published his first reading and spelling elementary instruction text in 1836. Over the years —and into the 20th century—the McGuffey Readers would not only teach generations of Americans to read and to spell, but would also impart instruction in religion, morality, ethics, and patriotism, helping to create many aspects of a common American cultural heritage.