British and international primary sources reveal Mary Seacole as an historical and charismatic global phenomenon, more than had been previously realised.

In 1885, Marietta (née Pierce) Johnson graduated from Third State Normal School at Saint Cloud, Minnesota. She built up professionalism in primary teaching in the Midwestern state of Minnesota (1885-1890) and in tertiary teaching of prospecting teachers at Normal Schools in diverse Midwestern states (1890-1900 and 1901-1902). In 1907, she founded the School of Organic Education at Fairhope in the Southern state of Alabama, and remained the school's principal until her death. Additionally she amassed an impressive curriculum vita as a school principal lecturing throughout the country-especially in the Eastern states. She became an accomplished recruiter of students and progressive teachers. She was a capable speaker, able to explain a novel educational approach in terms of a drawn out emotional, personal, and professional struggle. In 1919 Johnson co-founded the Progressive Education Association (PEA) with four fellow progressive educators. Virtually unknown, however, is the fact that two years earlier she joined the Bureau of Educational Experiments (BEE) in New York City, and worked at Public Schools 64 and 95 during the 1917-1918 season, salaried by the BEE. This article will shed new light on Marietta Johnson and her meandering educational career with high ups and low downs.

Frederick Matthias Alexander and the Bureau of Educational Experiments Author Details: Jeroen Staring-Dr Jeroen Staring teaches mathematics at secondary schools in The Netherlands. His 2005 Medical Sciences dissertation describes the life, work and technique of F. Matthias Alexander. In 2013 he successfully defended a second dissertation, on the early history of the NYC Bureau of Educational Experiments.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the political, toy manufacturing, and educational activities of Caroline Louise Pratt (1867‐1954), founder of the Play School (later renamed City and Country School), New York City.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews previously unreported biographical material and draws on a number of Caroline Pratt's own writings, combining results of archival text research and digital searches.FindingsNewly available data sources on Caroline Pratt's 1896‐1921 life show her to be more of a social reconstructionist than previously concluded. This research demonstrates that it was Pratt's feminist, socialist and trade unionist ideals, transformed into educational aims, that formed the core of her educational work.Research limitations/implicationsThis investigation is limited to Pratt's activities during the years 1896 to 1921.Originality/valueThe internet has provided ready access to a wealth of newspaper and journal documents. The ease of access has no precedent, and the volume of newly available data sources has brought opportunities for reinterpretation and rewriting of the history of education. Yet even more new data will inevitably become accessible. This paper provides insights into how previously unresearched documents, now easily found through digital research, can enhance understanding of the contributions of Caroline Pratt.

Author Details: Jeroen Staring -Dr Jeroen Staring teaches mathematics at secondary schools in The Netherlands. His 2005 Medical Sciences dissertation describes the life, work and technique of F. Matthias Alexander. In 2013 he successfully defended a second dissertation, on the early history of the NYC Bureau of Educational Experiments. Abstract Until recently it was not known that Marietta Johnson, founder of the School of Organic Education in Fairhope, Alabama already wrote about her pedagogical principles and her school earlier than 1913. Between 1909 and 1913 Johnson also gave lectures. This case study highlights the reasons. It also gives an overview of Johnson's pre-1913 published work.