Introduction to the study of history

About this book

Creators: Charles Victor Langlois (1863-1929), Charles Seignobos (1854-1942), F. York Powell (1850-1904) [Author of introduction, etc.], and George Godfrey Berry (1867-1928) [Translator] "Introduction to the Study of History" by Ch. V. Langlois and Ch. Seignobos is a scholarly guide on historical methodology written in the late 19th century. This work aims to instruct students and practitioners in the scientific study of history, emphasizing the rigorous methods needed to collect and analyze historical documents. The authors approach history as a discipline rooted in scientific inquiry and critical analysis, highlighting the importance of methodology in achieving historical accuracy and understanding. The opening portion of the book introduces the critical element of "heuristic" – the search for documents that serve as the foundation of historical accounts. It discusses the vital role of documents in preserving the memory of past events and the complexities involved in their collection and interpretation. Langlois and Seignobos argue that historians must diligently seek out and classify existing documents to construct reliable historical narratives, emphasizing that a lack of thorough document examination can lead to flawed conclusions. The authors set the stage for a deeper exploration of historical methodology, presenting a well-structured framework that highlights the importance of diligent scholarship in the study of history. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading Level: Reading ease score: 45.5 (College-level). Difficult to read. Rights: Public domain in the USA. Downloads: 1090

Subjects