University of Helmstedt

The University of Helmstedt (German: Universität Helmstedt; official Latin name: Academia Julia, "Julius University"), was a university in Helmstedt in the Duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel that existed from 1576 until 1810.

Founded by and named after Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel on 15 October 1576, the first university of the duchy and the first Protestant university of the northern Holy Roman Empire quickly became one of the largest German universities. In order to train preachers in Lutheran Protestantism, the duchy needed a university of its own. In 1575 Julius obtained the Emperor's permission to open a university in Helmstedt. One year later the first lectures started. The Princes of Wolfenbüttel held the office of the rector, starting with Julius' 12-year-old son John Henry.

The university had four faculties for theology, law, medicine and philosophy including the seven liberal arts. The great auditorium, the Juleum Novum was erected in 1592.

In the late 18th century, Helmstedt lost popularity to newer universities, such as the University of Göttingen. It was closed in 1810 on initiative of Johannes von Müller, director of public instruction in the Kingdom of Westphalia.

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