Tolstoy in London / Victor Lucas.

This text includes black and white photographs, illustrations, and portraits depicting life in 19th century London, as well as photographs and portraits of Tolstoy and his family. The text also includes scans of several letters written to Tolstoy during this period.

Includes bibliographical references (page 109-112).

His early life -- Nineteenth century England -- Tolstoy's visit -- Education in England -- 12 March 1861 -- Return to Russia.

"Returned a hero from the Crimea, the young Tolstoy threw himself energetically into the education of the peasant children of his estate. His ideas and methods were as yet experimental, and in July 1860 he decided to leave Russia for an extended visit to study education in Europe. He visited schools in Germany and in France; he went to Italy, and in March 1861 he arrived in London. Armed with a letter of introduction from Matthew Arnold, the poet, and at the time a senior official in the Department of Education, he visited a number of schools, and in particular St. Mark's Practicing School, in Chelsea. The boys of Class 3B wrote an essay at the request of the dark bearded foreigner, and these revealing accounts of their characters, interests and daily lives were among the souvenirs he took back to Russia. Around this little known incident, Victor Lucas has written a detailed and fascinating account, not only of life and education in London in the mid-nineteenth century, but also of the complex genius that was later to write War and Peace and Anna Karenina, his educational principles, and his attempts to put them into practice. Above all, the author throws a light on an aspect of Tolstoy's character not often appreciated - his deep understanding of children and delight in his relationships with them." -- From the book jacket.