Lyceum Movement

Lyceum Movement, 19th-century trend in popular adult education in the United States, the name of which is derived from the Lyceum, the school near Athens where Aristotle lectured to his students (see Peripatetics). The first American lyceum was opened in Millbury, Massachusetts, in 1826 by the American educator Josiah Holbrook. Its purpose was to spread useful information in the community by means of lectures and debates. Other lyceums were soon established throughout the country and the movement reached its peak before the American Civil War. It was the prototype of other adult education systems, such as the Chautauqua movement, and it helped promote the establishment of libraries and museums. See Adult Education.