Skip to Content

Black & White woodcut illustration of The New England Primer

Where Imagination Begins

The New England Primer

Author unknown

1843


This textbook, first printed in 1690, was designed to enable children to learn the alphabet, read the Bible and follow a pious life.

Initially used in New England, North America, it quickly gained broad acceptance. The Puritans believed that an inability to read was Satan’s attempt to keep people from the Scriptures.

The New England Primer introduced each letter by means of a religious phrase and a woodcut illustration. Though strongly didactic in tone, it was used by students into the 19th century, thanks in part to Ira Webster's reprinting of the work in 1843. Webster's version was itself reprinted - the Library's version dates from 1850. The New England Primer can still be found today in electronic format for use in home schooling.