Preceptor

Preceptor (also Praeceptor, from the Latin " praeceptum " = rule, teaching) was the name given to the teacher, especially for the tutor in the Middle Ages and the early modern period.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, so also the teacher of Latin schools and the classes at the school and other higher schools was designated so that, once a tutor was referred to it, a more respected position than that of a tutor, also synonymous with tutor was indicated. Thus, Prince educators who accompanied Prince's children at the university or educational trips, as mentioned, for example, Johann Gottfried Herder, and Justus Georg Schottelius, and preceptor.

" Praeceptor Germaniae " was an honorary title for Rabanus Maurus and Philipp Melanchthon as well as in the chess world for Siegbert Tarrasch.

In many Danube Swabian communities existed at the beginning of the 19th century, a two-class trivial school with a full-fledged teacher and a sub teacher, who was also referred to as preceptor. Over time, the ranking senior teacher or schoolmaster, who was also a cantor in a rule, teachers, lower teacher and preceptor trained (teacher 's assistant ) after which was also directed to pay.

The preceptor in the literature

In the 19th century, Theodor Fontane in Cécile devoted a chapter to the preceptor Rodensteinstrasse whose precarious social position is treated here half ironically with a slight hint of social criticism: The Emeritus explained there: " But is not every teacher a preceptor. The nomination of mine ( he is already a high seventies ) dates from a time ago where one of the village schoolmasters, when the village was missing the pastor, settled the extra title of a preceptor. At least in our Brunswick area. This was then indicated that the person is of a certain higher order and both entitled as obliged to read every Sunday the church the gospel or preaching a sermon from a book. "

This preceptor has namely, when his eyes were bad, read instead of sermons preached and even so on the one hand exceeded his authority and contributed the other hand, significantly increasing church attendance. After years of work, he shows himself to, but is neither reprimanded nor confirmed in his position preacher, so he decided to submit his resignation.

The preceptor as abbot

In the 1095 founded Hospitaller Order of St. Anthony the abbot as preceptor, also Generalpräzeptor was called.