Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig
1783-1872
By Pauline Valvo
N.F.S. Grundtvig is considered to be the father of Danish folk schools. His radical ideas were the cornerstone upon which this educational reform was based. He was a Danish minister, a theologian, a poet, a philosopher, a historian, a hymn writer, a social critic, and most relevantly, an educator. His educational vision was for a unique school that would serve Danish people of all social standings, especially the farmers. He originally called it "folkelig hojskole" (loosely interpreted as "a school that would be "of and for the people"") (Borish, 1991, p. 17). His idea was to create an educational system that would give dignity to each person who attended. He wanted to awaken in each person a pride in Danish culture, and a love of learning that would continue for the person's entire life. One of Grundtvig's most well known poems, Enlightenment (translated by Borish), illustrates his view of learning:
Is the light of the spirit only something for the learned to spell with? No! Heaven has bequeathed more good things, and the light is the gift of heaven. The sun rises with the farmer, and not with those who possess learning. It illuminates, from top til toe, the one who is really on the go.
Borish, 1991, p. 17
Grundtvig was born in 1783, in a small village about 50 miles outside of Copenhagen, Denmark. His father was a clergyman, and Grundtvig was educated and trained to become one himself. After graduating from the University of Copenhagen in 1803 he worked as a tutor and as a historian for several years, before becoming ordained in 1811. While working as a historian, studying mythology, Grundtvig published his first book, Nordic Mythology, in which he criticized the Danish people for not taking their country's humiliation in the defeat by Britain in 1807 more seriously. One of Grundtvig's first appointments was as curate at Vor Frelsers (Our Saviour's) Church in the district of Christianshavn, where he worked as a writer and a clergyman. During this time he published a controversial reply to an article written by another priest. His reply was entitled, The Church's Reply to Professor of Theology Dr. H.N. Clausen by Nik. Fred. Sev. Grundtvig, Curate of the Church of Our Savior. In response to this article, Grundtvig was taken to court for libel, which ultimately resulted in him resigning from his position. He lost the case, was ordered to pay all court fees, and was set under official censure.
In the late 1820s, while traveling in England on business, Grundtvig spent two weeks at Trinity College in Cambridge. He was exposed to a new type of educational system here, where dialogue between the student and the teacher was valued. The conversations between them were open-ended, continuous and intense (Borish, 1991, pg. 166-167). "What fascinated him most was "the free and unhampered inquiry and method of study an the deep fellowship which developed among the men who taught and the men who learned" (Knudsen, 1955, pg. 149). That experience ultimately led to Grundtvig's theory about education, idea for folk schools, and to the publication of one of his most famous works, School for Life and the Academy in Soer. This booklet promoted the major tenets of Grundtvig's philosophy of about education:
The living word
He emphasized the importance of the spoken word, and believed that actual spoken words revealed the essence of one's being. He applied this to education by viewing books as secondary resources, and lectures, stories and discussions as primary.
Enlightenment
He believed that an understanding of the real and deepest truths that constitute enlightenment never comes from studying classroom texts, but can only be taught by life itself. This idea presents a paradox for teachers: it is the deepest task of our lives to acquire enlightenment for life, but it is something that no schoolroom lesson will ever teach us.
The people's enlightenment
He was convinced that each people, each tribe, each nation on earth had a valuable role to play in the unfolding of world history. He had a high degree of respect for the other cultural traditions of the world, and did not view Denmark as superior. Grundtvig believed that all humans are born into a particular cultural and historical context, through which their own personal drama of enlightenment must be played out. He believed that there is a collective as well as an individual aspect to the experience of enlightenment, and that it must be a goal of society to create the conditions that will lead to enlightenment.
How to create conditions for enlightenment within society
A translation of Grundtvig's idea for how to do this is "a balance between two things that remain different, but that should fertilize each other in their differences" (Borish, 1991, pg. 169). He favored a peaceful transformation of all elements in society based on a mutual recognition that all had the right to exist. Also, he insisted that each individual could both teach and learn in a dialogue predicated on mutual respect.
Wisdom of the people
He believed in the wisdom of the ordinary people above the educated and elite, and thought that it was the ordinary people who were capable of enlightenment.
Based mainly upon these ideas, the first folk school was opened at Rodding, on November 7, 1844. A group of patriotic Danes, led by Professor Christian Flor, ran the school. Despite it's promising beginning, the school had a difficult time. It was closed and re-opened several times before being closed permanently in 1864. However, by this time the folk school movement had taken hold. Kristen Kold, who "was to influence the folk-school movement more profoundly than any other of Grundtvig's disciples" (Campbell, 1928, pg. 71), opened a school at Ryslinge in 1951. Between 1866-1869, after the war with Prussia ended, the folk school movement experienced it's largest growth ever, with 44 new schools opening. Folk schools continued to gain popularity after Grundtvig's death in 1872, and his picture still graces the wall of many Danish folk schools today. As of 1999, there were 94 folk schools in Denmark, attended by approximately 50,000 course participants ("Folkeoplysning," 2000).
Key Events in the Life of N.F.S. Grundtvig
& The History of the Folk School Movement
1783
Grundtvig was born on September 8th, in a village 50 miles South of Copenhagen, the son of a clergyman.
1792
At the age of 9 he was sent to Jutland, to a clergyman at Thyregod near Vejle, to be tutored for entrance into Latin school.
1798-1800
Grundtvig went to the grammar school at Århus to be prepared for the university entrance examination.
1800
He traveled to Copenhagen, passed the university entrance examination and began his studies at the University of Copenhagen.
1801
On April 2 the battle of Copenhagen occurred when a British fleet attacked the city. Grundtvig joined the student corps, and later said that the battle and defeat had quite an impact on him.
1802
Lectures given at the University by his cousin Henrick Steffens exposed him to new ideas of Romanticism.
1803
Grundtvig graduated cum laude in the fall after studying Theology, but was not ready to become a clergyman, and it wasn't possible to become ordained at such a young an age.
1805-1808
He accepted a post as tutor at the manor of Egeløkke on the island of Langeland, where he developed an infatuation with student's mother. This was a deep personal shock to him, and he returned with great strength and determination to his studies and his literary work.
1808
Grundtvig had his literary debut with Maskeradeballet i Danmark (Nordic Mythology), in which he criticized the Danish people for not taking their country's humiliation in the defeat of 1807 seriously.
1810
In March Grundtvig had to preach a trial sermon before returning to Udby to become his father's personal curate. He did such a good job that the examiners awarded him the highest mark. But the sermon caused a protest when Grundtvig had it printed under the title Hvi er Herrens Ord forsvundet fra hans Hus? (Wherefore hath the Word of the Lord vanished from His House?) because it was a violent attack on the contemporary clergy for betraying the message of the Christian gospel.
1811
Grundtvig was ordained.
1813
Grundtvig's father died, and he applied unsuccessfully, for his position. Grundtvig then returned to Copenhagen and resumed his literary and scholarly work.
1816-1819
He started and edited a magazine Dannevirke, filled with philosophical articles he wrote mostly himself.
1818
Grundtvig received grant from the Crown to help with his translation of the Chronicles.
1821
He was appointed without having applied for it to a living in the small town of Præstø.
1822-1826
Grundtvig was appointed curate at Vor Frelsers (Our Saviour's) Church in the district of Christianshavn, where he worked as a writer and a clergyman.
1826
After publishing "The Church's Reply to Professor of Theology Dr. H.N. Clausen by Nik. Fred. Sev. Grundtvig, Curate of the Church of Our Savior", he was taken to court for libel, resulting in him resigning from his position. He lost the case and was ordered to pay all court fees, and was set under official censure.
1829
With royal support, Grundtvig was able to travel to England to study manuscripts.
1831
During a two week visit at Trinity College, Cambridge Grundtvig was exposed to new type of educational system that transformed his beliefs.
1837
Grundtvig was freed from censorship.
1838
Grundtvig published School for Life and the Academy in Soer, which presented his idea for the Danish Folk Schools.
1839
He was given a ministry in Vartov, in Copenhagen, where he remained until his death.
1844
November 7, the first folk high school opened at Rodding, started by Christain Flor.
1847
Grundtvig succeeded in gaining the King's approval for a Folk School in Soro, but then the King passed away and the school never came to be.
1848
Grundtvig started a small weekly, Danskeren (The Dane), mainly in order to promote his democratic and political ideas.
1848-1858
Grundtvig was elected to the constituent assembly and sat thereafter as a member of the Folketing, the second chamber of Parliament.
1849
June 5 the Constitution was signed, bringing an end to absolute Monarchy in Denmark.
1851
The first Danish book to demand equal rights for women was published Clara Raphael, with Grundtvig as the only male reviewer to come out in it's favor.
1851
A new Folk School was established at Ryslinge, founded by Christen Kold, whose work influenced the future of the Folk School movement.
1861
Grundtvig was made an honorary bishop.
1864
Denmark was drawn into war with Prussia, and ended up losing both Slesvig and Holsten to Prussia before the war ended.
1866
Grundtvig was for a short period a member of the Landsting, the upper chamber of Parliament.
1866-1869
44 new Folk Schools were established.
1872
Grundtvig died on September 1st.
References
Borish, S.M. (1991). The Land of the Living. Nevada City, California: Blue Dolphin Publishing, Inc.
Campbell, O.D. (1928). The Danish Folk School. New York: The MacMillan Company.
Knudsen, J. (1955). Danish Rebel. Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press.
N.F.S. Grundtvig. (1998). Retrieved 11/04/01 from: http://www.denmarkemb.org/grundt.html.
Folkeoplysning. (2000). Retrieved 11/02/01 from: http://www.uvm.dk/eng/publications/factsheets/engfol.htm.
