A Diffusion of Useful Knowledge

What does it mean for knowlege to be useful? This exhibit looks at both what knowledge was deemed important and how that knowledge was conveyed. From the 18th century Enlightenment Encyclopédie to the influence of Benjamin Franklin and the 19th century Lyceum movement, this exhibit looks at what knowledge was deemed important and how that knowledge was conveyed. The name of the exhibit was inspired by the influential English Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. The Society published numerous inexpensive texts aimed at the self-education of the masses.