Basedow, Johann Bernhard (1723-1790)

German educational reformer. His theory of ‘natural’ education, which was based on the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, strongly influenced educational practice throughout Europe, especially the work of Johann Pestalozzi and Friedrich Froebel.

Basedow was born in Hamburg. He taught in Denmark and Germany, but soon encountered opposition from the educational establishment for his unorthodox approach. His enthusiasm at Rousseau's work (especially Emile, 1762) led him to publish his own treatise on education in 1774, the illustrated Elementarwerk. In the same year he opened his ‘Philanthropinum’ at Dessau to put his theories into practice, later devoting himself to private tutoring. Basedow was supported in his work by a number of influential and wealthy people, and knew many of the leading cultural figures of his day, including the writer Goethe and the theologian Lavater.