Playfair, L. (English spelling) PlayfairL

...However, by the mid-19th century, continental countries such as France and Germany had established systems for training large numbers of specialists through specialized educational institutions that embodied the ideas of modern engineering, and as a result, Britain's position as the most advanced industrialized country was in jeopardy. Worried about this development, academics and intellectuals, primarily scientists such as L. Playfair (1819-98), appealed to the government and public opinion about the country's critical situation, and raised funds from entrepreneurs and landowners to establish engineering colleges around the country, work to popularize engineering education, and train engineers. By the end of the 19th century, some of these engineering colleges had built up a track record as higher education institutions, and were promoted to university status. ...

*Some of the terminology that mentions "Playfair, L." is listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…しかし，フランスやドイツなど大陸諸国が近代工学の理念を体した専門教育機関を通じて，大量の専門家を養成する体制を整えたために，19世紀中葉になると，工業化の最先進国としてのイギリスの地位は危うくなってきた。このような事態の展開を憂慮した，プレーフェアL.Playfair(1819‐98)ら科学者を中心とした大学人，知識人たちは，政府や世論に自国の危機的状況を訴えるとともに，企業家や土地所有者たちから拠金を募って，各地に理工カレッジを設立し，工学教育の普及に努め，技術者の養成にあたったのである。これら理工カレッジのいくつかは，19世紀末には高等教育機関としての実績を積み，体裁を整えて，大学に昇格した。…

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