Herborn Academy
Encyclopedia
The Herborn Academy was a German institution of higher learning very similar to a university
in Herborn
, which existed from 1584 to 1817. The school was assimilated into the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau
.
, Prince of Orange in the year of the latter's death. The soveriegn granted the students two warm meals and three liters of small beer per day. The Academy (Paedagogium) was originally located in the Herborn Castle. In 1588 Johann purchased the old town hall and, after expanding it, gave it over for the Academy’s use. This academy, which later took on a distinctively Calvinist
cast, was further augmented with four faculties much like a conventional university. It quickly became one of the most important educational locations of the Calvinist-Reformed movement in Europe. In the Netherlands
the University of Franeker
emerged as a similar academy.
Despite repeated efforts and the undisputed quality of the teaching of the Academy, it was never given the imperial authorization to designate itself a university
, largely due to the fact that it was a Calvinist
foundation. As a result, the school never possessed the authority to grant doctorates.
In the first heyday, which lasted until 1626, over 300 students were enrolled in Herborn; for example about 400 in 1603. After 1626 the numbers fell sharply before reaching a second peak from 1685 to 1725. After that point average enrollment in Herborn numbered only about 100. A strong fluctuation in enrollment was the common story in Herborn, as in 1745 there was a time when there was less than five students in the city. From its founding in 1584 until its closure in 1817, about 5700 students in total from across Europe studied at the academy. Many came from the Switzerland
, Bohemia
, Moravia
, Hungary
or Scotland
. Of these students 1000 came from Herborn itself.
On 17 December 1811 Napoleon issued a decree for the Duchy of Berg (to which Herborn had been annexed in 1806) to establish a state university in Düsseldorf
and to close the Herborn Academy in its favor. After the end of Napoleonic rule, this directive was not overturned and even with the creation of the Duchy of Nassau in 1817, the Academy was not restored. The Academy was abolished in 1817 with only the theological faculty continuing as a theological seminary.
The successor of the Academy, the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau
(EKHN), is now located in Herborn Castle. The original buildings are currently used as a hotel and restaurant.
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
in Herborn
Herborn
Herborn is a historic town on the Dill in the Lahn-Dill district of Hesse in Germany. Before World War I, it was granted its own title as Nassauisches Rothenburg. The symbol or mascot of this town is a bear. Scenic attractions include its half-timbered houses; Herborn is located on the German...
, which existed from 1584 to 1817. The school was assimilated into the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau
Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau
The Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau is a protestant, liberal church body in the German states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. There is no bishop and therefore no cathedral...
.
Overview
In 1584 Count John VI of Nassau-Dillenburg founded the Academia Nassauensis as a post secondary institution. He established it upon the request of his brother William the SilentWilliam the Silent
William I, Prince of Orange , also widely known as William the Silent , or simply William of Orange , was the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish that set off the Eighty Years' War and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1648. He was born in the House of...
, Prince of Orange in the year of the latter's death. The soveriegn granted the students two warm meals and three liters of small beer per day. The Academy (Paedagogium) was originally located in the Herborn Castle. In 1588 Johann purchased the old town hall and, after expanding it, gave it over for the Academy’s use. This academy, which later took on a distinctively Calvinist
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
cast, was further augmented with four faculties much like a conventional university. It quickly became one of the most important educational locations of the Calvinist-Reformed movement in Europe. In the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
the University of Franeker
University of Franeker
The University of Franeker was a university in Franeker, Friesland, presently part of the Netherlands. It was the second oldest university of the Netherlands, founded shortly after Leiden University....
emerged as a similar academy.
Despite repeated efforts and the undisputed quality of the teaching of the Academy, it was never given the imperial authorization to designate itself a university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
, largely due to the fact that it was a Calvinist
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
foundation. As a result, the school never possessed the authority to grant doctorates.
In the first heyday, which lasted until 1626, over 300 students were enrolled in Herborn; for example about 400 in 1603. After 1626 the numbers fell sharply before reaching a second peak from 1685 to 1725. After that point average enrollment in Herborn numbered only about 100. A strong fluctuation in enrollment was the common story in Herborn, as in 1745 there was a time when there was less than five students in the city. From its founding in 1584 until its closure in 1817, about 5700 students in total from across Europe studied at the academy. Many came from the Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
, Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
or Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Of these students 1000 came from Herborn itself.
On 17 December 1811 Napoleon issued a decree for the Duchy of Berg (to which Herborn had been annexed in 1806) to establish a state university in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
and to close the Herborn Academy in its favor. After the end of Napoleonic rule, this directive was not overturned and even with the creation of the Duchy of Nassau in 1817, the Academy was not restored. The Academy was abolished in 1817 with only the theological faculty continuing as a theological seminary.
The successor of the Academy, the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau
Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau
The Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau is a protestant, liberal church body in the German states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. There is no bishop and therefore no cathedral...
(EKHN), is now located in Herborn Castle. The original buildings are currently used as a hotel and restaurant.