This book, which is a revised version of a book first published in 1962, examines the present state of the field of adult education (AE) by examining its origins and patterns of growth. Part 1, which traces the emergence of institutions for the education of adults, covers the following topics: colonial foundations and antecedents in 1600-1779 (social setting and early beginnings of education); the nation's growth and its quest for diffusion of knowledge in 1780-1865 (social setting, education of democratic citizens, growth/diffusion of knowledge, shaping of the national education system, evening schools, colleges/universities); the maturation of a nation and multiplication of its AE institutions in 1866-1920; and development of institutions for education of adults, 1921-1961. Discussed in part 2 are the development of coordinative organizations within segments of the field and efforts to establish a national organization for AE, 1924-1961. Part 3 reviews the characteristics and dynamics of AE as a field and speculates on its future. Presented in part 4 are observations on developments in the following aspects of AE from 1961-1976: institutional developments; national organization and coordination; characteristics of the field; and the future of AE. Three bibliographies contain 634 references. (MN)