Nasir Guyton June 1, 2007
Bass School Room 306-6

“Anthony Benezet”

Anthony Bebezet was born on January 31, 1713 in St. Quentin, France. Anthony’s families were Huguenots. Huguenots were French Protestants who suffered persecution.
When Anthony Benezet was two years old, Anthony received an education that was suitable for a prosperous family. When Anthony Benezet was seventeen years old, he immigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, Anthony joined the Quakers. Because his attempt to become a trader failed, Anthony Benezet decided to become a school teacher.
Later Anthony Benezet taught at the Friend’s English School, which is now called the William Penn Charter in Philadelphia. Here Benezet was recognized for being a good teacher. He was also known for his dislike for severe discipline.
In the 1750's Benezet taught slave children after he got off work. He taught these children from his home. In 1754, he left the Friends’ English School to start a school for girls. This school was one of the first public girls’ schools in America. He later started the Negro School in Philadelphia. Benezet taught until he got ill.
What I admired most about Anthony Benezet was his zeal to teach African American Children. I believed that he reached out to black children more than the average person would. He made sure that he educated slave children as well. I commend his act of bravery and I admire his willingness to help children become more knowledgeable.
The thing that I disliked the most about Anthony Benezet was the fact that he opened a school for girls. It always seems that girls always get more benefits than boys. You would think that because Anthony was a man he would help boys. I wish that he would have reached out to help young boys too. His contribution may have made boys more motivated to learn today. I believe that boys require extra support and I believe that boys need positive role models to stand up and assist us in our day to day lives.