a
private (operated under a royal
charter as a
private foundation) preparatory
school for
boys in Eton (a town located in
south-
central England).
a
reference to Eton
College, a
private secondary school (known as a "
public school" in
England), located in the town of Eton, about 20 miles (32 km)
west of
London. Eton was founded in 1440 by Henry
VI (1421-1471),
King of
England and is the largest and one of the most
prestigious public schools in the country. It offers
courses in such subjects as
science,
mathematics, ancient
history,
Latin, Greek and other languages, and sports such as
cricket and rowing. The
school teaches more than one thousand
boys from the ages of twelve to eighteen, all of whom live at the
school and receive personal tutoring and assistance outside their
normal classes. These
boys are generally from the wealthiest and most distinguished
English families. Many of
England's most famous soldiers and
statesman have been educated at Eton.