Theodore Harding Rand

Theodore Harding Rand (8 February 1835 – 29 May 1900) was a Canadian educator and poet. He was born in Canard, Nova Scotia, to Thomas Woodworth Rand, deacon of First Cornwallis Baptist Church, and Eliza Irene Barnaby. A Baptist, Rand attended Acadia College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, which had been founded by the Baptist community in 1838. Rand graduated from Acadia College in 1860.

Rand's principles were based on his Baptist faith and his belief in the importance of education. He believed that education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their social class or background. He also believed that education should be based on the principles of truth, beauty, and goodness.

Rand was famous for his work as an educator and his poetry. He served as the superintendent of education for Nova Scotia from 1864 to 1874. He also founded the Halifax Normal School, which was the first teacher training institution in Nova Scotia. Rand's poetry was inspired by his love of nature and his belief in the importance of human freedom. His most famous poems include "The Acadian Exiles" and "The Song of the Sea."

Rand's philosophy of education was based on his belief that education should be both practical and idealistic. He believed that students should be taught the skills they need to succeed in life, but he also believed that they should be taught to think critically and to value the arts and humanities. Rand's philosophy of education had a major impact on the development of education in Canada.

Rand died on 29 May 1900 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He is remembered as a pioneer in Canadian education and as a gifted poet.