Johann Bernhard Basedow | |
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 Johann Bernhard Basedow | |
| Born | (1724-09-11)September 11, 1724 Hamburg |
| Died | July 25, 1790(1790-07-25) (aged 65) Magdeburg |
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Johann Bernhard Basedow (German pronunciation:[ˈbaːzədo];[1] 11 September 1724 – 25 July 1790) was aGermaneducational reformer, teacher and writer. He founded thePhilanthropinum, a short-lived but influential progressive school inDessau, and was the author of "Elementarwerk", a popular illustrated textbook for children.
Basedow was born inHamburg on 11 September 1723.[2] His father was awigmaker named Heinrich Basedau, and was described as "severe almost to brutality", and his mother, Anna Maria Leonhard, as suffering from "melancholy almost to madness", which made his childhood a less than happy one. It was planned that he should follow his father's profession, but, at the age of 14, he ran away from home, finding employment as a servant of a country physician inHolstein. His employer recognized Johann's extraordinary intellectual gifts and sent him back home to his parents with a letter which persuaded them to allow their son to be schooled at theJohanneum in Hamburg.[3][4] Here, Johann came under the influence of the rationalistH.S. Reimarus (1694–1768), author of the famousWolfenbütteler Fragmente, published byLessing.[2]
In 1744, Basedow went to theUniversity of Leipzig as a student oftheology, but turned instead to the study ofphilosophy,[2] being particularly influenced byWolff's "Philosophy of Reason". This made him examine his ownChristian faith, arriving at a position that was "in a centre between Christianism and naturalism". Thus, he rejected his clerical vocation and turned instead to radicalism and reformism.[3] He was the grandfather of Karl Adolph von Basedow.
Between 1749 and 1753, Basedow was a private tutor to the son of Herr von Quaalen, a nobleman living inBorghorst,Holstein. He developed new teaching methods based on conversation and play with the child, and a program of physical development. Such was his success that he wrote a treatise on his methods, "On the best and hitherto unknown method of teaching children of noblemen", which he presented to theUniversity of Kiel in 1752, and obtained the degree of Master of Arts.[3]
In 1753, he was appointed professor ofmoral philosophy andbelles-lettres atSorø Academy inDenmark. He proved to be a very popular teacher and was also called on to lecture on Theology. However, his fearless, anti-establishment views and the publication of a book in 1758, "Practische Philosophie" ("Practical Philosophy"), in which he expounded his unorthodox religious position, led, in 1761, to his removal from this post and transfer toAltona;[3] here his published works brought him into conflict with the orthodox clergy. He was forbidden to give further instruction, but did not lose his salary; and, towards the end of 1767, he abandoned theology to devote himself with the same ardour to education, of which he conceived the project of a general reform in Germany.[2]
In 1768, strongly influenced byRousseau's ideas on education inEmile, Basedow published a book,Vorstellung an Menschenfreunde für Schulen, nebst dem Plan eines Elementarbuches der menschlichen Erkenntnisse ("Idea to philanthropists for schools, along with the plan of an elementary book of human knowledge"). He proposed the reform of schools and of the common methods of instruction, the establishment of an institute for qualifying teachers and solicited subscriptions for the printing of a new, illustrated, book,Elementarwerk ("Elementary Book"), where his principles were to be explained at length.[2] He realized it is the responsibility of all of society to support these important education reforms intended to improve the quality of teaching, remove brutal treatment of students in all forms and replace it with compassion and understanding, and the introduction of new teaching materials and books to help students learn. He proposed his reform project to wealthy individuals who he knew were interested in helping humanity and soon received financial support. Initially he gathered over twenty thousandthalers and in 1774 he was able to publish Elementarwerk in four volumes, with illustrations byDaniel Chodowiecki. The Elementarwerk contained a complete system of primary education, intended to develop the intelligence of the pupils and to bring them, so far as possible, into contact with realities, not with mere words; it was the first picture textbook for children to be published since the "Orbis Pictus" ofComenius in 1664. There was also a companion "Methodenbuch" (Method Book) to assist teachers and parents.[2][5][6]
This financial support from "friends of humanity" (Philanthropy = love of humanity), established Basedow as the founder of the philanthropic movement and he developed the first philanthropic concept. Philanthropy was integral to the forwarding of the education reform movement and could not have been successful otherwise.[7]
Basedow was a friend ofGoethe, and through him made the acquaintance ofPrince Franz of Anhalt-Dessau, who became a firm supporter of Basedow's plans for educational reform and agreed to back the founding of a new school, thePhilanthropinum, in Dessau. The school opened in December 1774, its keynote being "everything according to nature". Rich and poor were to be educated together, the curriculum was practically-based and conducted in German (rather than Latin or Greek), handicrafts were taught, there was an emphasis on games and physical exercise, and school uniform was made simple and more comfortable.[8] Although the school was open for only a relatively short time until 1793, its reforming influence proved to be considerable and inspired the founding of many similar institutions in Germany and abroad.[9]
Basedow, unfortunately, was not disposed by nature or habit to succeed in an employment which required the greatest regularity, patience and attention; his temper was intractable, and his management of the Philanthropinum was one long quarrel with his colleagues. He resigned his directorship of the institution in 1778.[2] Basedow Married Gertrude Elizabeth Hammer. He had many children including Christine Henriette Louise von Basedow (who died at birth), Antonie Luise Emilie von Basedow, Ludwig von Basedow, and Henriech Josias von Basedow.[citation needed]
Basedow died inMagdeburg in 1790.[2]
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: "Basedow, Johann Bernhard".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 461–462.Books by Basedow:
About Basedow and his work:
