Mann, Horace (1796–1859)

US political leader and education reformer. Resigning from the Massachusetts state legislature 1937, he served as secretary of the state school board 1837–48. In that position he helped raise the level of funding and instruction for public education.

Born in Franklin, Massachusetts, Mann was educated at Brown University and was admitted to the bar 1823. After serving in the US House of Representatives 1848–53, he became president of Antioch College 1853–59. He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives 1827–33 and Massachusetts Senate 1835–37.