Educational Media Reviews Online

Cooper Union was established in 1859 as a school for the working class. Its curriculum centered on architecture, art and engineering. Both men and women could receive a free education at Cooper Union. The college still exists today with private full scholarship programs. The amazing man who created this institution and school is probably not as well known as the school itself. This film brings us the story of a working class youth who educates himself, invents useful tools and systems and is financially astute. Peter Cooper was a true philanthropist and remains an American icon of the industrial age.

This is a perfect film for high school students looking for an American hero. Cooper personifies the American dream. Self-educated, inventive, industrious he uses his talents and skills to not only improve his condition in life but to realize the moral responsibility to do good things with his wealth. Through reenactments and interviews with scholars we see Cooper’s life unfold. With his many challenges along the way we also see the resilience of greatness. It’s noteworthy that the Great Hall of Cooper Union was venue for so many social justice advocates of the nineteenth century from Abraham Lincoln to Susan B. Anthony.

There is no menu available and there are no subtitles or closed caption but despite these limitations it is an interesting and informative piece about an American hero. Recommended.