The power of mathematics education in the 18th century

Abstract

In the Dutch Republic in the 18th century mathematics was considered very important for many professions. However there were hardly any national or regional educational institutes which provided mathematics education. Three orphanages in different towns received a large inheritance under condition that they provided education for technical and artistic professions. The Foundations which were established had a curriculum in which mathematics was the main subject. The influence of several curriculum components and some external curriculum factors are recognisable in documents and archival data. This is illustrated by the history of one student.