Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori
Portrait of Montessori, artist and date unknown
Born
Maria Tecla Artemisia Montessori

(1870-08-31)31 August 1870
Died6 May 1952(1952-05-06) (aged 81)
Noordwijk, Netherlands
Resting placeNoordwijk, Netherlands
EducationUniversity of Rome La Sapienza Medical School
Occupations
  • Physician
  • educator
Known forFounder of the Montessori method of education
Children1
Signature

Maria Tecla Artemisia Montessori (/ˌmɒntɪˈsɔːri/ MON-tiss-OR-ee, Italian: [maˈriːa montesˈsɔːri]; 31 August 1870 – 6 May 1952) was an Italian physician and educator best known for her philosophy of education (the Montessori method) and her writing on scientific pedagogy. At an early age, Montessori enrolled in classes at an all-boys technical school, with hopes of becoming an engineer. She soon had a change of heart and began medical school at the Sapienza University of Rome, becoming one of the first women to attend medical school in Italy; she graduated with honors in 1896. Her educational method is in use today in many public and private schools globally.