Background
Johann Basedow was born at Hamburg, Germany on the 11th of September 1723, the son of a hairdresser.
Bernhard
philosopher teacher writer educational reformer
Johann Basedow was born at Hamburg, Germany on the 11th of September 1723, the son of a hairdresser.
Johann Basedow was educated at the Jobanneum in that town, where he came under the influence of the rationalist H. S. Reimarus (1694 - 1768). In 1744 he went to Leipzig as a student of theology, but gave himself up entirely to the study of philosophy.
Basedow began to exhibit his really remarkable powers as an educator of the young, and acquired so much distinction that, in 1753, he was chosen professor of moral philosophy and belles-lettres in the academy of Soro in Denmark.
In 1768 appeared his 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").
The subscriptions for this object amounted to 15, 000 Talers (£2250), and in 1774 he was able to publish the work in four volumes.
It contains 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.
The work was received with great favour, and Basedow obtained means to establish an institute for education at Dessau, and to apply his principles in training disciples, who might spread them over all Germany.
The name of Philanthropin which he gave to the institution appeared to him the most expressive of his views; and he engaged in the new project with all his accustomed ardour.
He resigned his directorship of the institution in 1778, and it was finally closed in 1793.
Johann Basedow established in 1774 in Dessau an institution for education called Philanthropinum, a school for boys of rich families and for teachers' training.
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
Elementarwerk
Johann Basedow believed in educating children as children by directing and training, but not suppressing them and by bringing experience and reality into the curriculum, instead of only words and theories.
Johann Basedow's temper was intractable, and his management of the Philanthropinum was one long quarrel with his colleagues.
