Johann Christian Meier

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Johann Christian Meier (born December 25, 1732 in Hasserode , † February 27, 1815 in Schneverdingen ) was a German educator , pastor and writer .

Life

Johann Christian Meier was born as the son of the paper miller Meier and his wife, a farmer from Danstedt , for Christmas in 1732. The father fell into drinking and had to sell the top paper mill in Hasserode as early as 1740 and move with his family into a small half-timbered house in Wernigerode . There his son grew up almost without education, almost half wild. He had to contribute to the family's upkeep early on and read wood in the forest and bring it into town in a box and later in a wheelbarrow.

In the later years he was taught by good elementary teachers, he gradually gained an appetite for studying in school and, while teaching catechism, aroused the interest of Superintendent Ziegler, who began to promote him. He gave up the already planned apprenticeship as a papermaker's journeyman in favor of attending the Latin school in Wernigerode. After successfully completing it, he studied theology at the University of Halle from 1754 to 1757 . He then became a seminarist and returned to Wernigerode as a sub-principal at the Latin school. At the same time he gave sermons at the Johanniskirche in Wernigeröder Neustadt, which he had to stop because the consistory had doubts about his ability. By studying the writings of Johann Bernhard Basedow, Meier became enthusiastic about his educational reforms and made personal contact with him. He spent nine months in 1768 with Basedow, but then reluctantly turned away from him and moved to Hamburg . Here he had received a position as a private tutor, which he filled with life for six years. He then got a permanent position in the public service as principal of the school in Otterndorf . After the poet Johann Heinrich Voss became his successor, he was promoted to rector of the cathedral school in Verden . His part-time theological studies prompted him to take the theological exam in 1787 in order to be able to move to a pastorate. However, it was difficult for him to get a job as a pastor because of his critical attitude towards the Church. Not until 1794 did he become pastor in the small village of Schneverdingen , where he lived until his death. His stay was interrupted by a summons to Hanover , to which 36 French hunters escorted him in 1805.

Works

His numerous school programs and scripts bear witness to his reform pedagogical ideas. On larger works he left:

  • Johann Bernhard Basedow's Life, Character and Writings Judged impartially, 2 volumes, Hamburg 1791/92
  • Autobiography in 16 letters.

literature

personal data
SURNAME Meier, Johann Christian
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German educator, pastor and writer
DATE OF BIRTH December 25, 1732
PLACE OF BIRTH Hasserode
DATE OF DEATH February 27, 1815
Place of death Schneverdingen