page_title: George Combe
section_title: Social interests: schools, prisons and asylums
hierarchical_section_title: George Combe / Social interests: schools, prisons and asylums
context_page_description: George Combe was a Scottish lawyer and the leader and spokesman of the phrenological movement for over 20 years. He founded the Edinburgh Phrenological Society in 1820 and wrote the influential study The Constitution of Man. Combe was trained in Scots law and had an Edinburgh solicitor's practice. After his marriage in 1833, Combe devoted himself in later years to promoting phrenology internationally.
context_section_description: In 1836, Combe stood for the chair of Logic at Edinburgh, against two other candidates, Sir William Hamilton and Isaac Taylor; Hamilton won with 18 votes, against 14 for Taylor. In 1838 Combe visited the United States and studied the treatment of criminals there. He initiated a programme of public education on chemistry, physiology, history and moral philosophy.
  Combe sought to improve the provision of public education, advocating a national system of non-sectarian education. He helped to set up a school in Edinburgh run on the principles of William Ellis, and did some teaching there himself on phrenology and physiology. It was prompted by the London Birkbeck School, which had opened on 17 July 1848. Combe was a significant figure in taking the view that the state should be involved with the educational system. His ideas were supported by William Jolly, an inspector of schools, and noted by Frank Pierrepont Graves.
  Combe was seriously concerned about prison reform. With the assistance of William A. F. Browne, he opened a debate about the introduction of humane treatment of psychiatric patients in publicly funded asylums.
caption: George Combe, a daguerrotype
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