Abstract

German university professors in the 19th century tended to come from rich and influential families. One of the main reasons for this is that professors were not very well paid, their remuneration largely depended on how many students came to their lectures. Therefore only men (no women then) from a wealthy background could afford a university career. This looks at the history of the remuneration for professors in Germany since the Middle Ages up to present times, and its implications for the politics of higher education.