Eric A. Wildman
Eric A. Wildman | |
|---|---|
 Wildman showing off his canes, 1948 | |
| Born | 20 May 1921 Walthamstow, England |
| Died | May 1990 (aged 68–69) |
Eric Arthur Wildman (20 May 1921 – May 1990)[1] was an English advocate for corporal punishment in schools. He served as president of the National Society for the Retention of Corporal Punishment. His business, Corpun Educational Supply Company, produced birches and canes and distributed pro-corporal punishment literature.[2][3]
Prior to his career, he served in the Merchant Navy.
On November 24, 1948, Wildman was invited to lecture at a progressive private school, Horsley Hall, near Eccleshall, Staffordshire. Its headmaster, Robert Copping, advocated for "self-expression" and was anti-corporal punishment. Following his speech, Wildman was caned by the students, an event captured by photographers. Wildman sought treatment at a hospital, reported the incident to police, and threatened legal action which did not occur.[4]
On January 9, 1953, his City Road office and Walthamstow home were raided by police, who seized canes and printed material. He was charged with 17 counts of publishing obscene libels.
He ceased operations in the 1960s and became a private tutor. The Private Case of the British Library kept five parcels of pamphlets issued by Wildman and Corpun,[5] as well as two booklets on flagellation which were withdrawn "on legal advice" prior to publication.[6]
References
- ^ "Eric Arthur Wildman, England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007". Vol. 15. General Register Office; United Kingdom. p. 549.
- ^ d'Olbert, Gervas (1956). "Eric Wildman, 1950s crusader for corporal punishment". Chastisement Across the Ages. London: Fortune Press. Archived from the original on December 11, 2025 – via corpun.com.
- ^ Martin, Andrew (2022-12-01). "The Spanking Crusader Who Was Beaten By Students While Speaking At Their School".
- ^ "School caning news, UK, November 1948 - CORPUN ARCHIVE uksc4811". World Corporal Punishment Research.
- ^ Fryer 1966, pp. 120–121.
- ^ Fryer 1966, p. 147.
Bibliography
- Fryer, Peter (1966). Private Case—Public Scandal: Secrets of the British Museum Revealed. London: Secker & Warburg. OCLC 314927730.