Charlotte Mason, a renowned British educator, lived during the turn of the 20th century. She turned the idea of education being something of utilitarian necessity into an approach based upon living ideas. She believed that education is "an atmosphere, a discipline, a life" and a "science of relations." Her methods are embraced around the world today, especially among the homeschool community.
I love her philosophy on education. I worked most of my homeschooling curriculum around her style of teaching and I believe it was a benefit to my children and to myself. I think every teacher should read her material. It'd be a great help in the classroom.