ABSTRACT
The nineteenth century was in every respect an age of history. Historians abounded. Their works were published and translated from one language to another. Universities rushed to establish chairs for the most prominent men. Their works were read avidly by a receptive public. A number of historians, especially in France, became significant political figures. Governments in Britain and Prussia tapped historians for public duties. The range of historical study expanded, especially economic history, although politics, diplomacy, and war continued to rule despite the example of Voltaire. Cultural and intellectual history made their appearance. Fulldress biblical criticism also emerged. As historians and their fields multiplied and nation states were formed (Belgium, Italy, Germany), availability of sources expanded as doors of archives opened across Europe. Prominent historians toward the end of the century attempted assessments of what history is as a discipline and what it had accomplished.
