Defining adult education in a very broad sense, the paper is an historical survey of the opportunities that were available for both the formal and informal education of adults from the 1860's to 1914. It presents information (drawn to a great extent from contemporary newspaper accounts) about the educational services provided by libraries; literary, cultural, art, and debating societies; public schools (through night and extension classes); national and regional organizations; special interest groups (for sailors, women, Oriental immigrants, various trades, businesses, and professions); private tutors; commercial schools; and newspapers. It also deals with the involvement of industry and labor unions in the education of its personnel, and with in-service training for teachers and other professionals. Whenever it is available, information about the number and kinds of courses, enrollments, fees, and lecturers is also included. (PR)