Charles Nicholson: Improbable Commissioner of National Education

Abstract

Charles Nicholson was appointed in 1848 as one of the first three Commissioners of National Education in New South Wales. This appointment has understandably influenced many scholars to conclude that Nicholson was a pioneer of that system of education in the colony. In fact he was not. He was a consistent supporter of denominational education and in 1837 actually allied himself with Bishop Broughton's opposition to National education. However from 1844 onwards his attitude to the latter system softened. During the same period he became increasingly estranged from the person and policies of Broughton, and eventually dissociated himself completely from all Broughton's works. Thus he was free to work for the National system of education which he had come to regard as a necessary complement to the denominational system.