1753 was private tutor in a
nobleman's family in Holstein. Basedow now 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. On account of his
theological opinions he was in 1761 removed from this post and transferred
to Altona, where some of his published works brought him into great
disfavour 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. In 1768
appeared his _Vorstellung an Menschenfreunde fuer Schulen, nebst dem Plan
eines Elementarbuches der menschlichen Erkenntnisse_, which was strongly
influenced by Rousseau's _Emile_. He proposed the reform of schools and of
the common methods of instruction, and the establishment of an institute
for qualifying teachers,--soliciting subscriptions for the printing of his
_Elementarwerk_, where his principles were to be explained at length, and
illustrated by plates. The subscriptions for this object amounted to 15,000
Talers (L2250), 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. But he had few scholars, and the success by no means
answered his hopes. Nevertheless, so well had his ideas been received that
similar institutions sprang up all over the land, and the most prominent
writers and thinkers openly advocated the plan. Basedow, unfortunately, was
little calculated by nature or habit to succeed in an employment which
required the greatest regularity, patience and attention; his temper was
intractable, and his management was one long quarrel with his colleagues.
He resigned his directorship of the institution in