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Which types of primary sources did Leopold von Ranke use in his research?

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Leopold Ranke — Leopold von Ranke Ranke, detail of an oil painting by J. Schrader, 1868; in the National-Galerie, Berlin

Leopold von Ranke, a foundational figure in modern historiography, revolutionized historical research by emphasizing the necessity of first-hand information and rigorous critical analysis.12

To achieve his goal of showing history "as it actually was" (wie es eigentlich gewesen), Ranke prioritized the use of primary sources, which he defined as:2

Memoirs2
Diaries2
Letters2
Reports from embassies (notably including the relazioni of Venetian diplomats)2
Original narratives of eyewitnesses2

Ranke’s methodology involved a tireless search for all relevant data, which he treated as a "laboratory" process in his influential historical seminars. While he is often associated with the use of archival materials, it is important to note that he did not initially utilize state papers—documents produced by public officials—as they were not generally accessible to historians at the start of his career. His commitment to these primary sources established the normative standards for critical historical scholarship that persist today.2