I just finished reading First Principles, by Thomas Ricks. The author studied, in depth, what shaped the ideas, and ideals of the "Founding Fathers" of the United States. He goes into what education each had, including his reading what they read, and what education some didn't have.
Back then, there were few Universities, and the studies at those was mostly studying Roman history, and some Greek history, and philosophers while learning Latin. His chapters on individuals are not long, but lay out pretty clearly their histories, of exploits, as well as what their education was comprised of. Those without education are not diminished, like George Washington, but their shaping history very well explained. Ben Franklin was just plain smart. He picked up Latin, and French on his own.
There are some things that I had not read in other places, like even the men during the hardship of the Winter at Valley Forge put on some of the Roman plays, with one repeatedly, and you see where some very famous quotes came from-as an example: "I regret that I have only one life to give for my country", and others, and how it shaped their views.
In short, if any of this interests you, I highly recommend this book. It's very well written, as well as very interesting. The Author is a Pulitzer Prize winner, so not new at this craft.