Published in 1869, two years after passage of the Reform Bill, this collection of essays is perhaps its author's most topical critical work. Arnold defines Culture as "the best which has been thought and said" and argues that, during a time of great social change and potential upheaval, the masses could be educated to become purposeful individuals and citizens through the use of a state-run school system. The ideas put forward in this book still incite controversy among liberals and conservatives today.