John Thoreau (1815-1842)
John Thoreau Jr., Headmaster, of Concord, Massachusetts
He opened up a progressive grammar school, Concord Academy, with his famous brother, Henry David Thoreau. The children were taken on nature walks and visited local shops and businesses to learn how they were run. Having started the school in 1838, it was closed just four years later when John died from tetanus having cut himself shaving. He died in his brother Henry's arms. He was unmarried.
