Equal emphasis on “research” and “representation”: A new analysis of Ranke’s debut work

Abstract

Although Leopold von Ranke’s debut work Geschichten der romanischen und germanischen Völker von 1494 bis 1535 (History of the Latin and Teutonic Nations [1494–1535]) was not fully mature, it allowed him to obtain a teaching position at the University of Berlin, thus marking the commencement of the Rankean era in modern German historiography. Later generations produced a host of commentaries on this classic work, focusing particularly on the line “wie es eigentlich gewesen” in the preface to the first edition, as well as the appendix Zur Kritik neuerer Geschichtsschreiber (In Criticism of Modern Historians). In referring to Ranke’s essay in response to Heinrich Leo, we find that the preface to the first edition exhibits an “invisible” tripartite structure composed of “purpose,” “research,” and “representation”; regarding the question of whether greater emphasis should be laid on “research” or “representation,” Ranke argued for an equal emphasis on “research” and “representation.” In examining the reasons why Ranke held this view, first, it was associated with the system of “research” of the contemporary period; and second, it was related to Ranke’s grand aspirations to revive classical history-writing. The existing studies cling to one side or another, while failing to take note of the fact that Ranke’s views, as described above, were objectively favorable to emphasizing the importance of “research” in historiography.