Dr. Maria Montessori

Dr. Montessori's background

Dr. Maria Montessori was the first woman to practice medicine in Italy. A scholar of biology, psychiatry, anthropology, and medicine, she graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Rome in 1896. As a physician, Dr. Montessori became profoundly interested in child development. Through careful and exhaustive scrutiny, she realized that children construct their own personalities as they interact with their environment. She also observed the manner in which they learned and continued to scientifically develop this intentional approach.

Dr. Montessori initiated research and experiments to study children of all races and cultures in many countries around the world, soon seeing the universality of the laws of human development. She continued her observations throughout her life, widening and deepening her understanding until her death in 1952. Also a devoted humanitarian, she was a three-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy efforts towards a more peaceful humanity.

Dr. Montessori was first and foremost a scientist. Through her studies of educational methods, she declared two principles to be the foundation of Montessori pedagogy: the universal characteristics of the human child, and the child as a unique, unrepeatable, respectable, and admirable individual to be unconditionally accepted as one of life’s most marvelous expressions.

Historical Timeline

1896: Maria graduates to great public acclaim from the University of Rome School of Medicine. She is the first woman in Italy to receive a medical degree. She also studies anthropology, biology, and psychiatry. As an early feminist, she represents Italy at the 1896 Women’s Conference in Berlin where, among other things, she is a strong advocate for equal pay.

1896-1907: Dr. Montessori’s work brings her into close contact with children. During this period, the Italian Minister of Education appoints her as the Director of the Scuola Ortofrenica, an institution dedicated to the care and education of youngsters considered “cognitively challenged.” Through the development of her Montessori method, many of these 8-year-old students are able to pass standardized testing with above-average scores.

1907: Dr. Montessori opens Casa dei Bambini, or “Children’s House,” for children ages 3 to 6 years in one of the poorest neighborhoods in San Lorenzo, Italy.

1913: Dr. Montessori makes her first visit to the United States. Alexander Graham Bell and his wife, Mabel, found the Montessori Educational Association.

1915: At the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition in San Francisco, Dr. Montessori's “glass house” schoolroom exhibit draws international attention. During this visit to the States, she leads a teacher training course.

1922: The Italian government asks Dr. Montessori to return to Italy to become a government inspector of schools.

1929: Dr. Montessori founds the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with her son, Mario, to ensure the preservation of her educational principles. "Montessori" is not copyrighted or trademarked.

1939: Maria and Mario Montessori travel to India to give a series of teacher training courses. Both are detained there during World War II.

1947: Dr. Montessori starts a training center in London and continues to spend time in India.

1949: Dr. Montessori is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1950: Dr. Montessori is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1951: Dr. Montessori is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1952: Dr. Montessori dies in the Netherlands, assured that her legacy will be continued through the work of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).