Founder of historiography

Founder of modern historiography

The question of who is the founder of modern historiography is a matter of some debate among historians and scholars, and different individuals have been credited with this title for various reasons. Some regards Voltaire as the father of modern historiography while others regard Leopold von Ranke as a founder of modern historiography. Let's find out why is it a debatable issue by looking at their approach.

Francois Marie Arouet 

Francois Marie Arouet, also known as Voltaire (1694-1778), was a prominent Enlightenment philosopher and writer who made significant contributions to the development of modern historiography.Voltaire's approach to history emphasized the critical analysis of primary sources, and he sought to use history as a means of promoting reason and tolerance. He believed that history could be used to expose the errors and abuses of the past, and to inspire social and political reform in the present.Voltaire's most famous work of history is his "Essai sur les moeurs et l'esprit des nations" ("Essay on the Manners and Spirit of Nations"), which traces the development of civilization from ancient times to the present. In this work, he challenged traditional assumptions about the superiority of ancient societies and argued that progress and enlightenment were possible in the modern world.

Voltaire's contributions to historiography were significant in shaping the emergence of the modern discipline of history. 

Leopold Von Ranke

Leopold von Ranke (1795-1886), a German historian who lived during the 19th century. Ranke is known for his pioneering work in developing a scientific approach to history, which emphasized the use of primary sources and the importance of objectivity and accuracy in historical writing.Ranke argued that historians should focus on the study of past events "wie es eigentlich gewesen" (as it actually happened), meaning they should strive to present an objective and factual account of the past, based on rigorous research and critical analysis of primary sources. This approach marked a departure from earlier forms of historiography, which often relied on secondary sources, hearsay, and speculation.Ranke's methodology and philosophy had a profound impact on the field of history and helped to establish it as an academic discipline. His ideas influenced generations of historians and helped to shape the way history is researched, written, and taught. He is still widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of historiography.

Ultimately, both Ranke and Voltaire are important figures in the history of historiography and have contributed significantly to the development of the discipline. It may be more accurate to say that they both played important roles in the evolution of modern historiography, each contributing unique ideas and approaches that have helped shape the field.

-Poorva Singh 

BA History Honours ( Jesus and Mary college, Delhi University)





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