Stojan Novakovic in Gymnasium and Lyceum 1857-1863

Abstract

Based on unused documents from the Archive of Serbia, the paper presents less known details about the education of Stojan Novakovic in the Gymnasium (1857-1860) and Lyceum (1860-1863) in Belgrade. Novakovic came from a poor family. Being an excellent student, he was a scholarship (blagodejanije) recipient during his entire education. As such type of aid was insufficient, he earned additional money by holding private lessons, translating and writing essays. The paper highlights the continuity of Novakovic?s seven-year education in the Gymnasium as he finished four grades in Sabac and three in Belgrade. In the history of gymnasium education in Serbia, the 1853-1863 period is particularly notable as the reform initiated in 1853 in gymnasiums placed emphasis on foreign language learning. In the Gymnasium, Novakovic learned German, French, Latin, Greek and Old-Slavic. At the Lyceum, the highest educational institution in the Principality of Serbia, he continued to learn German and French. Professor Djura Danicic, who taught him philology, history of literature and aesthetics, made a strong influence on Novakovic during his studies at the Lyceum. He learned a lot about legal terms and concepts and the history of law from law professors Nikola Krstic, Sergije Nikolic and Ignjat Stanimirovic. He learned logics, national and general history and other auxiliary subjects. In view of this, we may conclude that Novakovic?s later versatile scientific interests result from the education that he gained at the Lyceum and his hard work throughout his career. To the extent offered by the preserved documents, the final part of the paper elucidates details from Novakovic?s education (timetables, exam dates and grades).