FOWLE, William Bentley, educator, born in Boston, Massachusetts, 17 October 1795; died in Medford, Massachusetts, 6 February 1865. He was apprenticed to a bookseller, and after the latter's death carried on the business till 1823, when he engaged in teaching, having for many years made a study of the theories and methods of education and mental culture. In 1842 he began the publication of the "Common School Journal," which was edited by Horace Mann till 1848, and then by himself for the succeeding four years. He wrote and lectured in furtherance of the principles advocated by Horace Mann, and rendered important assistance to that reformer. When teachers' institutes were established, he delivered many lectures at their meetings. Through his efforts the monitorial system of instruction was introduced into the public and private schools of Boston. He was a member of the Massachusetts legislature in 1843. About 1851 he opened a monitorial school in Boston, which he conducted successfully till 1860, when he retired to Medford and devoted himself to literary labor. He published, besides his lectures, as many as forty-eight books of instruction. His first publication was an improved edition of Boyer's "French and English Dictionary"; his latest, a series of outline maps. He was engaged at the time of his death in preparing a " Book of Dialogues."