Basedow

Basedow, Johann Bernard, was born at Hamburg in 1723, and for several years of his early manhood was plunged in theological speculations to the loss of his repute for orthodoxy. He showed, however, real capacity for education, and in 1767 set seriously about the task of reforming the school system of Germany. A powerfully written appeal brought in subscriptions, and under the patronage of Prince Francis of Anhalt-Dessau he started the Philanthropinon, an institution that failed itself but served as a model to other schools. Basedow was afflicted with a temper that prevented his acting with others. He was engaged in educational experiments at Magdeburg, where he died in 1790.