Leopold von Ranke

Leopold von Ranke (December 21,1795- May 23,1886) was one of the greatest German historians of the 19th century, and is frequently considered the founder of "scientific" history. Ranke set the tone for much of later historical writing, introducing such ideas as reliance on primary sources, an emphasis on narrative history and especially international politics (Aussenpolitik) and a commitment to writing history "as it actually " (wie es eigentlich gewesen).

Related Topics:
December 21 - 1795 - May 23 - 1886 - German - Historian - 19th century

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Beginning with his first book, the History of the Latin and Teutonic Nations from 1494 to 1514, Ranke used an unusually wide variety of sources for a historian of the age, including "memoirs, diaries, letters, diplomatic dispatches and first hand accounts of eye-witnesses." In this sense he leaned on the traditions of Philology but emphasized mundane documents instead of old and exotic literature.

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At the core of his method, Ranke did not believe general theories could cut across time and space. Instead, he made statements about the time using primary source quotes. He said, "My understanding of 'leading ideas' is simply that they are the dominant tendencies in each century. These tendencies, however, can only be described; they can not, in the last resort, be summed up in a concept."

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The laws in which history emerged were unknown to him, and he preferred to let the mystery be, instead focusing on what some term "mindless empiricism."

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Ranke was also the grand-uncle of British poet Robert Graves.

Related Topics:
British - Robert Graves

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