Pupils 'need heroes in history', says the chairman of the Society of Headmasters and Headmistresses of Independent Schools. I agree with the headline but not the substance.
In my view, Nelson nor Churchill could ever be a hero to me, and could not have been as a child. Heroes are people that others aspire to emulate. I don't have a problem with children hero-worshipping Beckham, if it means that they are going to work hard in their chosen field, are going to display good manners, and be a good father. However, I think there are many figures from history more inspiring. One of my personal favourites was Elizabeth Fry, prison reformer, or Josephine Butler, who fought for the rights of women exploited in prostitution. I think people like Chad Varah, founder of the Samaritans, or Edmund Hillary conqueror of Everest are remarkable figures. George Stephenson, Florence Nightingale, Charles Babbage, Marie Curie will appeal to others. I haven't even mentioned art, music, and literature.
Sure, I know Nelson was a great Admiral, and I also recognise that in 1940 Churchill was 'cometh the hour, cometh the man' (but he made some dreadful mistakes earlier and later in his career). I find it belligerent, old-fashioned and patriarchal to imply that heroism can only be demonstrated in wartime.
Although, perhaps, terribly topical.
