Goethe, the Brothers Grimm, and Academic Freedom : Inaugural Lecture, Delivered 9 May 1990

Professor Paulin addresses the much-discussed subject of academic freedom. He explores the roots of the term in its original German context and shows how early reforming ideas were not properly implemented until the age of Bismarck. Two cases illustrate the conflict between state and academic freedom before 1865: Goethe and his struggle with 'radical' professors; and the Grimm brothers, dismissed in 1837 from their chairs in Gottingen. Both examples illustrate the long and arduous process that led eventually to one of Germany's most prized academic assets: the right of the professor to teach and conduct research without direct state interference.Professor Paulin addresses the much-discussed subject of academic freedom. He explores the roots of the term in its original German context and shows how early reforming ideas were not properly implemented until the age of Bismarck. Two cases illustrate the conflict between state and academic freedom before 1865: Goethe and his struggle with 'radical' professors; and the Grimm brothers, dismissed in 1837 from their chairs in Gottingen. Both examples illustrate the long and arduous process that led eventually to one of Germany's most prized academic assets: the right of the professor to teach and conduct research without direct state interference.Paulin, Roger is the author of 'Goethe, the Brothers Grimm, and Academic Freedom : Inaugural Lecture, Delivered 9 May 1990', published 1991 under ISBN 9780521407687 and ISBN 0521407680.