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*This two-part series aired on April 15 and 16, 2024.
About 200 years ago, an obscure Prussian philosopher named Wilhelm von Humboldt created the world's first education system. He was also behind the modern research university.
These breakthroughs in education have been adopted around the world. Yet very few people have even heard of Humboldt, let alone his extraordinary accomplishments.
Who was Humboldt?
In 1806, the Prussian forces of King Friedrich Wilhelm III started a war with Napoleon, Emperor of France.
Thousands died in the twin battles of Jena and Auerstedt. Napoleon won, meaning a large area of Prussia came under the control of the French.
At the time, Wilhelm von Humboldt was a mid-level aristocrat and Prussian Ambassador to the Vatican in Rome.
With his country defeated and in shatters, Humboldt was called back to Berlin, and demoted to a lowly position within the Ministry of the Interior.
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