Mathematics teaching at girls’ Victoriaschule in Gdańsk from the mid-19th century until World War I

This paper aims to describe mathematics teaching at the Victoriaschule in Gdańsk during the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century. Although Gdańsk is currently located in Poland, during the period under consideration it was part of Prussian Poland, which refers to the Polish lands under Prussian rule, and it was formerly known as Danzig. The Victoriaschule was established in 1818 and, three years later, became the first public secondary school for girls in Gdańsk. In the latter half of the 19th century, a teachers’ seminary was also opened there. By the early 20th century, due to the efforts of the then-director, a real gymnasium for girls began operation, allowing students to take matriculation exams and pursue university studies. It became one of the best educational institutions for girls in Prussian Poland. This paper will compare mathematics teaching at the Victoriaschule with that in similar schools for boys and other selected girls’ schools operating at the same time in Prussian Poland, including institutions in Bydgoszcz, Grudziądz, Toruń, Malbork, and Kwidzyn. The analysis will focus on curricula, ministerial orders, school textbooks, and the initiatives of individual school reformers.