Zur Kritik neuerer Geschichts-schreiber

treatise by Ranke

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July 15, 2026

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Zur Kritik neuerer Geschichtschreiber (Critique of Modern Historians) is a treatise by Leopold von Ranke, a prominent 19th-century German historian. Published in 1824, it established critical methods for historical scholarship that became standard practice. Ranke emphasized the importance of acquiring firsthand information from primary sources like memoirs, diaries, and letters. He argued that the critical analysis of historical sources is fundamental to the historian's task. Ranke's work significantly influenced Western historiography, promoting a more scientific approach to writing history based on rigorous examination of evidence.123

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Leopold von Ranke
Early career.
The appended treatise, Zur Kritik neuerer Geschichtsschreiber, in which he showed that the critical analysis of tradition is the historian’s basic task, is the more important work. As a result of these publications, he was appointed associate professor in 1825 at the University of Berlin, where he taught…
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The appended treatise, Zur Kritik neuerer Geschichtsschreiber, in which he showed that the critical analysis of tradition is the historian’s basic task, is the more important work. As a result of these publications, he was appointed associate professor in 1825 at the University of Berlin, where he taught…
Read More

historiography
Leopold von Ranke
” The second volume, Zur Kritik neuerer Geschichtsschreiber (“Critique of Modern Historians”), established critical methods of historical scholarship that have since become normative. Ranke emphasized the acquisition of first-hand information and the tireless search for all relevant data, which he defined as “memoirs, diaries, letters, reports from embassies, and…
Read More
” The second volume, Zur Kritik neuerer Geschichtsschreiber (“Critique of Modern Historians”), established critical methods of historical scholarship that have since become normative. Ranke emphasized the acquisition of first-hand information and the tireless search for all relevant data, which he defined as “memoirs, diaries, letters, reports from embassies, and…
Read More