CORNWELL, James 1812-1902. Educationalist. James Cornwell played an important part in the development of education in the 19th century. He worked for one of the organisations promoting schools before education became compulsory, the British and Foreign Schools’ Society. It was largely supported by Nonconformist families. He founded new schools, helped new teachers and became head of the Borough Road Training College, now the South Bank University. His school textbooks were far in advance of their time. In the latter part of his life, he lived with his wife, Mary Ann, at Parbrock, Crescent Wood Road. He is buried in Norwood Cemetery.

Rosemary Warhurst