Sidney Webb and the London Technical Education Board

Abstract

“One of the new Chairman's first tasks was the appointment of a number of permanent officials to serve the Board in the difficult years that lay ahead. In ‘Our Partnership’ Beatrice states that Sidney persuaded the T.E.B. to undertake this step 'under the initial inspiration' of A. H. D. Acland and Llewellyn Smith, and thereby gives the impression that the choice of William Garnett as adviser and secretary conformed to their wishes. There is, however, a certain amount of doubt on this score. As early as March 1892, and within a few days of his election to the London County Council, Webb seems to have favoured Llewellyn Smith himself as adviser to any future committee. In a letter to Beatrice, for instance, he describes how he and his protege had indulged in a long discussion about the appointment and how they should 'work it'. … The cryptic, almost conspiratorial, nature of this utterance was maintained in another letter to Beatrice, written a few weeks later: 'It is possible that we may have to appoint Professor Garnett of Durham instead of Llewellyn Smith. But I intend not.' … There is then, unfortunately for the student, no further expression of his wishes in the matter.” – Introductory paragraph.