David Hansemann, founder of our school and the Aachen Munic insurance company

In 1825, Hansemann (1790-1864) founded the ‘Aachen and Munic fire insurance company'. By donating nearly 400 000 Goldmark, this company then founded the Kaiser-Wilhelms-Gymnasium, which was renamed Einhard-Gymnasium 50 years later.

But how does a 34-year-old entrepreneur, economic and financial politician come up with the idea of creating a charitable fire insurance company whose profits should benefit the public? And how does this spirit, which led to the founding of the RWTH or a Gymnasium among others, stay alive for the leaders of the insurance company?

‘David Hansemann's way of thinking' (the title of an essay by former Einhard colleague Prof. Dr. Hallmann) was that of a man who - without having attended a grammar school himself - accounted for everything he created in life with his liberal and courageous attitude towards achievement and sense of responsibility.

Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that in his ideas regarding education one's own initiative, the solid institutional basis and the readiness to help others of people who are economically responsible belong together in order to develop the creative and scientific resources of the bourgeoisie.

In a letter from 1839 he discloses his attitude towards material possessions: "I regard property as a means, not as an end. Property means independence, peace of mind and the capacity to educate children well and spend money on useful items."

Prof. Hallmann finishes his essay by saying: "It is an honour for Einhard-Gymnasium to be linked to this man through his Aachen Munic fire insurance company's involvement in founding the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gymnasium. May teachers and students always be aware of this honour!"

Hansemann seems to have transferred his ideas about good education and the useful spending of money regarding social and educational policy to the managing directors of the major insurance company he founded. Thanks to the Aachen Munic insurance company, the founding of a new Gymnasium for Aachen and Burtscheid, which the area urgently demanded, became possible after the company donated 300 000 Mark. Further support by the insurance company granted the minister's approval in 1882."

The opening of the new school building

On May 1st 1886 the newly-built school was officially opened. The chairman of the regional council thanked the Aachen Munic insurance company for donating 300 000 Mark for building a Gymnasium from which both Aachen and Burtscheid would benefit. In decades and centuries to come, those men responsible for the building of this school shall be commemorated.

In those days, being independent was considered very important by the education authority and the teachers. Because of Hansemann's superb social competence his contributions to the school were never regarded as problematic though.

All in all, Hansemann contributed 383 000 Mark for the founding of the school, the purchase of a house for the headmaster, the purchase of a sports field and a gate house, the development of the sports field and a commemorative publication in 1911."

The situation during World War II

Soon afterwards war brought about painful changes for the school. A lot of students and teachers fell. From 1919, the building served as barracks for the Belgium military. Eight generations of students were forced to be accomodated in other schools in Aachen, until they could move back into the building in 1930. During this time, the "Godfathers" of the school donated 29 000 Mark for the support of the very able students.During National Socialism the Aachen Munic insurance company donated 13 000 Mark for further education.

Despite big efforts by headmaster Dr. Mader the school was downgraded to the eight-year "Kaiser-Wilhelm-secondary school for boys" by the national socialist authority of education. During the war, the building was destroyed through bomb attacks. In 1943, all 15-year-olds had to become anti-aircraft auxiliaries. There were no lessons from September 1944 until two years after the war. Most younger students were taken to and taught in the Sudetenland. They were brought back to their parents thanks to the responsibility and personal sacrifice of the teacher Paul Adenaw."

The reopening of the school after World War II

In 1947, the school was reopened under the name Einhard-Gymnasium. The first years were characterized by some hardship. It was not until 1957 that the building was finally ready to cater for all the students' and teachers' needs.

In 1961, the 75^th anniversary of the school, the headmaster had to thank the Aachen Munic insurance company yet again for making a valuable donation, the new organ.

In the same year, Einhard Gymnasium admitted graduates from secondary modern schools to their classes and thereby helped to improve the education system."

The moving of the school due to lack of space

In the years to come, it became increasingly difficult to put up all the students in the building. After several years of negotiations, a new estate on the Burtscheider Heißberg was bought and a generous building for a maximum of 900 students was realized.

In 1973, the new building was officially opened and the city of Aachen was in charge of it.