E. H. Carr
8 key ideas, each explained in our own words.
What Is History?
- IDEA 1
Facts do not speak for themselves
Carr argues that historical facts do not simply exist waiting to be collected. Historians choose which facts matter, so every history reflects the historian's questions and judgements. A fact becomes historical only when a historian decides it is significant.
- IDEA 2
Know the historian first
Carr advises readers to study the historian before reading the history. A historian's background, time and beliefs shape what they see in the past, so understanding them helps us understand their work.
- IDEA 3
History is a conversation
Carr describes history as an unending dialogue between the present and the past. Historians interpret the past from their own moment, and each generation asks new questions and rewrites history.
Go deeper with E. H. CarrAsk questions, argue with the ideas and practise using them, free.
Open in the app