Leopold von Ranke

Leopold von Ranke (1795-1886) was a German historian often regarded as one of the founders of modern historical scholarship. He emphasized the importance of primary sources and objective analysis in historical writing, which significantly influenced the discipline. Ranke is best known for his work "A History of England Principally in the Seventeenth Century," a comprehensive six-volume study that explores the political and social dynamics of the period. His approach to history focused on the idea of 'wie es eigentlich gewesen' or 'how it actually was,' advocating for a factual recounting of events. Ranke's contributions have left a lasting legacy in historiography, shaping the methodologies of future historians.