Christian Gottlob Kellers

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Christian Gottlob Kellers (born June 10, 1703 in Fischbach; † March 13, 1766 in Sangerhausen ) was the rector of the city school in Sangerhausen from 1730 until his death. As a scientific journalist, he left behind numerous short works on theological, urban history and pedagogical topics that identify him as a representative of the Early Enlightenment in Central Germany. His place of work is the forerunner of today's Geschwister-Scholl-Gymnasium in Sangerhausen.

Life

Kellers came from a respected Lutheran pastor family. He completed philosophical, philological and theological studies at the University of Leipzig and, after obtaining his master's degree, prepared 1725 theology students for the exams. He is said to have completed his habilitation at the Philosophical Faculty in 1727 and is named in 1728 as one of the evening preachers at the Pauline Church , which belongs to the university .

His appointment as rector of the Latin school in Sangerhausen, also known as the Lyceum, was in connection with the 200th anniversary of the acceptance of the Augsburg Confession . These celebrations were sponsored by Duke Christian von Sachsen-Weißenfels (1682–1736). Kellers were in personal contact with the duke and dedicated many of his writings to him.

Under Kändler's rectorate, the Lyceum in Sangerhausen - like the city itself - experienced a heyday, which is explained by the city's status as a secondary residence in the Duchy of Saxony-Weißenfels . K Kaufmann linked the school closely with public life in the city by expanding the student lectures that had already been practiced occasionally into a permanent institution. On occasions such as the change of magistrate at the beginning of the year, at church feasts, on the Duke's birthdays and when the school leaves school, public disputes were held in which the students presented the results of their own research, in the school languages ​​Latin, Greek and French. Thematically covered the z. Some of the student works received in copied form cover a broad spectrum. " Programs " were invited to these events in which KÄNDER could publish his own scientific treatises.

In the year he took office, he refuted the thesis that higher education endangers religion and, in extreme cases, leads to atheism . The argument was directed against ultra-conservative circles that felt provoked by the rationalism advocated by Thomasius and Wollf . Another study presented in the same year took up the attempt by Protestant theologians to overcome the west-east church schism by translating the Augsburg confession into Greek and contacting Stephan Gerlach (1545–1616) with the ecumenical patriarch . K Kaufmann was firmly rooted in Lutheran Protestantism, but was a strict opponent of theological narrow-mindedness and controversial theological quarrels.

A particular area of ​​interest for Kändler was the Sangerhausen town history. The numerous works include a book about the Augustinian monastery, the walls of which housed the Lyceum, and a vita of St. Jutta von Sangerhausen. K Händler also dealt with Sangerhauser archives and probably initiated the four-volume copy of Sangerhauser documents, which is now kept in the Thuringian State Archives in Rudolstadt .

Kändler's early journalistic works were written in Latin; from 1737 he wrote more frequently in German, obviously with the intention of giving his enlightenment impulse a wider impact. This includes, in particular, a series of scriptures that aims to provide “proof” that “the parents are responsible for letting all and every children study regardless of their status, gender or wealth”. Kellers postulates a general educational ideal that overcomes social barriers and does not exclude girls and women from higher education.

Another series deals with school libraries . K Kaufmann thought it was important that the young students were introduced to the most advanced sources of information in the classroom. Libraries should enable students to study independently and also offer books to be borrowed at home. He called for the school libraries to be well equipped, u. a. also with the help of private sponsors, and designed them as public institutions that should give everyone interested in the city access to education and science.

In 1746 the Sachsen-Weißenfels line died out and Sangerhausen fell back to Electoral Saxony . The general conditions for Kändler's activity deteriorated as a result of the unfortunate wars for Saxony in the middle of the century. K Kaufmann was able to tackle various educational reform projects, but overall he seems to have gotten on the defensive . Nevertheless, he was able to gather a group of like-minded students and graduates and was recognized nationwide through membership in the learned Latin Society in Jena .

Kellers died in 1766. A catalog raisonné compiled on the occasion of his 300th birthday lists 42 authorized writings, 4 works ascribed to KÄNDER and 13 other contemporary writings that refer to KÄNDER.

A more comprehensive appraisal in the context of the city's history and the cultural history of Central Germany is still pending.

literature

  • Christian Gottlob Kellers (1703–1766) . Supplement to the exhibition School, Education and Learning in Sangerhausen in the 1st Half of the 18th Century (Spengler Museum Sangerhausen 2003), edited. by Peter Gerlinghoff, ISBN 3-88348-360-5 .
  • Friedrich Schmidt: History of the city of Sangerhausen. Volume 2, Sangerhausen 1906, pp. 37-40.

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