Gregorio de Pano

reality and fiction

Abstract

Gregorio de Pano (Briviesca, 1824-Pamplona, 1892) was a professor of mathematics at the Secondary School of Pamplona, teaching the subjects of Arithmetic/Algebra and Geometry/Trigonometry for forty-three years (1849-1892) and its director for twenty-four years (1861-1868 and 1875-1892). Among his students there were outstanding engineers. Our aim has been to restore his memory tarnished
by the sarcastic comments of his student, Pío Baroja. We have analyzed his opening speeches, a faithful reflection of the historical reality, which clearly present his ideas about instruction, always in connection with the education of the student in his family environment. Based both on them and on the results of his teaching activity, we can conclude that the level  of Gregorio de Pano's teaching was remarkable and that, contrary to the opinions expressed by his disciple Pio Baroja, he was a methodical and rigorous teacher who carried out his teaching work successfully.