Morant, Sir Robert Laurie (1863-1920), an English civil servant, drafted the important 1902 Education Act. This act set up the county councils and county borough councils in the United Kingdom as local education authorities, replacing the old school boards. The new authorities had powers to provide secondary schools.
Morant was born in London. He studied at Oxford University. He went as educational adviser to the king of Siam (now Thailand) and tutor to the crown prince. On his return to England, Morant joined the newly created Education Department in 1895. From 1903 to 1911, he was permanent secretary to its board.
