'Die Stammutter aller guten Schulen' - Das Dessauer Philanthropinum und der deutsche Philanthropismus 1774-1793

The 18th century was also known as the Pedagogical Century. In 1774, Dessau saw philanthropists founding the first reformed school dedicated to the principles of the Enlightenment. The philanthropists revolutionised teaching by designing a child-centred learning strategy. They no longer wished to impart the learning of scholars but to provide practical vocational knowledge for future citizens. All subsequent movements for educational reform in Germany referred to this first comprehensive experimental school developed by the educationalists of the German Enlightenment.


Jörn Garber, Universität Halle-Wittenberg.