Johannes Sturm
Encyclopedia
Johannes Sturm, Latinized as Ioannes Sturmius (1 October 1507, Schleiden
– 1589, Strassburg) was a German educator, influential in the design of the Gymnasium
system of secondary education.
, and went on to the University of Leuven. There he had a share in a printing press and issued several Greek works. Visiting Paris in 1529 to sell books, he was asked to teach and give lectures on Cicero
and Demosthenes
. Influenced by the writings of Martin Bucer
he adopted the principles of the Protestant Reformation
. He participated in the attempt to reconcile Protestant and Roman Catholic parties in 1534.
He was called to Strassburg (where he joined, among others, the unrelated statesman Jacob Sturm von Sturmeck
) in 1537, and in 1538 he set up the Gymnase Protestant there. He directed the school for 43 years, and the school attained a wide celebrity.
He undertook diplomatic missions on behalf of Strassburg, the Protestant estates, and the king of France. He attended the conferences at Hagenau and Worms
in 1540, and at Regensburg
in 1541; and went with Bucer to meet the elector of Cologne, in 1542. After helping to negotiate peace between England and Francei 1545, he again went to France in 1546, at the outbreak of the War of the Schmalkaldic League, to seek the help of François I. He asked for German aid to the Huguenots, which made him suspect in the eyes of Lutherans.
After the death of Jacob Sturm
and with the stricter enforcement of the Lutheran confession after 1555, Sturm became involved in ongoing con-troversies. He upheld the broader views of Bucer, and was influenced by his Biblical and humanistic views towards a non-dogmatic Christianity. A consensus in 1563 on the basis of the Wittenberg
Concord did not last long. Sturm was asked to schools on the Strassburg model of his, among which was the gymnasium at Lauingen
(1564). But the theological complaints against his views, and those of his staff, persisted.
complaint of tho theologians against the Reformed. Johann Marbach
brought a complaint, adjudicated in favour of Sturm in 1575. But the Formula of Concord
at Strassburg reopened the conflict. Johannes Pappus renewed the assault, supported by Andreas Osiander
and Jakob Andrea, in a pamphlet war, Sturm was relieved of his position in 1581 and retired to Northeim
.
model for a century all over Europe
. His ideal in education was “to direct the aspiration of the scholars toward God, to develop their intelligence, and to render them useful citizens by teaching them the skill to communicate their thoughts and sentiments with persuasive effect.”
Sturm implemented a gradation of the course of study, and novel methods of instruction. His system of classes (practically the same that still prevailed in all gymnasia some centuries later), his classification of literary material for use in schools, his writing of textbook
s, and his organization of school management shaped the practice of secondary education
, not only in the German schools, but also in secondary schools of England
and France
.
In addition to the Gymnasium, Foyer Jean-Sturm, a modern student dormitory in Strassbourg, also bears his name.
Attribution
Schleiden
Schleiden is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It lies in the Eifel hills, in the district of Euskirchen, and has 13,957 inhabitants...
– 1589, Strassburg) was a German educator, influential in the design of the Gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
system of secondary education.
Biography
In 1521 or 1522 he started studies at the school of St. Jerome at LiègeLiège
Liège is a major city and municipality of Belgium located in the province of Liège, of which it is the economic capital, in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium....
, and went on to the University of Leuven. There he had a share in a printing press and issued several Greek works. Visiting Paris in 1529 to sell books, he was asked to teach and give lectures on Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
and Demosthenes
Demosthenes
Demosthenes was a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide an insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC. Demosthenes learned rhetoric by...
. Influenced by the writings of Martin Bucer
Martin Bucer
Martin Bucer was a Protestant reformer based in Strasbourg who influenced Lutheran, Calvinist, and Anglican doctrines and practices. Bucer was originally a member of the Dominican Order, but after meeting and being influenced by Martin Luther in 1518 he arranged for his monastic vows to be annulled...
he adopted the principles of the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
. He participated in the attempt to reconcile Protestant and Roman Catholic parties in 1534.
He was called to Strassburg (where he joined, among others, the unrelated statesman Jacob Sturm von Sturmeck
Jacob Sturm von Sturmeck
Jacob Sturm von Sturmeck was a German statesman, one of the preeminent promoters of the Protestant Reformation in Germany.-Biography:...
) in 1537, and in 1538 he set up the Gymnase Protestant there. He directed the school for 43 years, and the school attained a wide celebrity.
He undertook diplomatic missions on behalf of Strassburg, the Protestant estates, and the king of France. He attended the conferences at Hagenau and Worms
Worms, Germany
Worms is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on the Rhine River. At the end of 2004, it had 85,829 inhabitants.Established by the Celts, who called it Borbetomagus, Worms today remains embattled with the cities Trier and Cologne over the title of "Oldest City in Germany." Worms is the only...
in 1540, and at Regensburg
Regensburg
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate...
in 1541; and went with Bucer to meet the elector of Cologne, in 1542. After helping to negotiate peace between England and Francei 1545, he again went to France in 1546, at the outbreak of the War of the Schmalkaldic League, to seek the help of François I. He asked for German aid to the Huguenots, which made him suspect in the eyes of Lutherans.
After the death of Jacob Sturm
Jacob Sturm
Jacob Sturm was the most famous engraver of entomological and botanical scientific publications in Germany at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. He lived in Nuremberg....
and with the stricter enforcement of the Lutheran confession after 1555, Sturm became involved in ongoing con-troversies. He upheld the broader views of Bucer, and was influenced by his Biblical and humanistic views towards a non-dogmatic Christianity. A consensus in 1563 on the basis of the Wittenberg
Wittenberg
Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a city in Germany in the Bundesland Saxony-Anhalt, on the river Elbe. It has a population of about 50,000....
Concord did not last long. Sturm was asked to schools on the Strassburg model of his, among which was the gymnasium at Lauingen
Lauingen
Lauingen is a town in the district of Dillingen in Bavaria, Germany. It is located on the left bank of the Danube, 5 km west of Dillingen, and 37 km northeast of Ulm.St. Albert the Great was born in Lauingen, c. 1200....
(1564). But the theological complaints against his views, and those of his staff, persisted.
complaint of tho theologians against the Reformed. Johann Marbach
Johann Marbach
Johann Marbach was a German Lutheran reformer and controversialist.-Life:He was born at Lindau in Bavaria. He began his studies at Strasbourg in 1536, and three years later went to Wittenberg, where he shared a house with Martin Luther and took his doctor's degree in 1543...
brought a complaint, adjudicated in favour of Sturm in 1575. But the Formula of Concord
Formula of Concord
Formula of Concord is an authoritative Lutheran statement of faith that, in its two parts , makes up the final section of the Lutheran Corpus Doctrinae or Body of Doctrine, known as...
at Strassburg reopened the conflict. Johannes Pappus renewed the assault, supported by Andreas Osiander
Andreas Osiander
Andreas Osiander was a German Lutheran theologian.- Career :Born at Gunzenhausen in Franconia, Osiander studied at the University of Ingolstadt before being ordained as a priest in 1520. In the same year he began work at an Augustinian convent in Nuremberg as a Hebrew tutor. In 1522, he was...
and Jakob Andrea, in a pamphlet war, Sturm was relieved of his position in 1581 and retired to Northeim
Northeim
Northeim is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, seat of the district of Northeim, with, as of 2002, a population of 31 000. It's located on the German Half-Timbered House Road.-History:...
.
Legacy
Sturm was generally regarded as the greatest educator connected with the Reformed Church. The school he directed and his art of teaching were a humanistRenaissance humanism
Renaissance humanism was an activity of cultural and educational reform engaged by scholars, writers, and civic leaders who are today known as Renaissance humanists. It developed during the fourteenth and the beginning of the fifteenth centuries, and was a response to the challenge of Mediæval...
model for a century all over Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. His ideal in education was “to direct the aspiration of the scholars toward God, to develop their intelligence, and to render them useful citizens by teaching them the skill to communicate their thoughts and sentiments with persuasive effect.”
Sturm implemented a gradation of the course of study, and novel methods of instruction. His system of classes (practically the same that still prevailed in all gymnasia some centuries later), his classification of literary material for use in schools, his writing of textbook
Textbook
A textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions...
s, and his organization of school management shaped the practice of secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
, not only in the German schools, but also in secondary schools of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
In addition to the Gymnasium, Foyer Jean-Sturm, a modern student dormitory in Strassbourg, also bears his name.
External links
Attribution