Comenius

The "father of modern education," who advocated universal schooling and class-based teaching.

Life

Member of the Unity of the Brethren

Comenius was a member of the Unity of the Brethren in Moravia. After the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, Protestants were persecuted and he was forced into exile, moving between Poland, Sweden, England and the Netherlands; he never returned to his homeland.

Exile

Advocating "teaching all things to all people," he proposed universal education, teaching students in classes by grade and a fixed school year, and wrote The Great Didactic; his Orbis Pictus was the world's first illustrated textbook for children.

Great Didactic

He died in Amsterdam in 1670.

Legacy

Comenius is hailed as the "father of modern education"; today's school grades, terms and classroom teaching all trace back to his ideas.

Major works & achievements

• The Great Didactic
• Orbis Pictus

Did you know? UNESCO awards a "Comenius Medal" honoring people who have made outstanding contributions to education.

Key dates

• 1628Forced into exile
• 1632Wrote The Great Didactic (approx.)
• 1658Published Orbis Pictus
• 1670Died in Amsterdam