Michelet
Jules Michelet (1798–1874) was a French historian whose works helped shape modern historiography in France. He is best known for his Histoire de France, a sweeping, narrative history that foregrounded the role of the people, social life, and cultural forces over the biographies of kings and states. Michelet’s approach combined romanticism with a rigorous attention to sources, and he was a key figure in the development of social history and nationalist historiography in the 19th century. He also produced influential studies on women, religion, and popular beliefs.
Born in Paris, Michelet studied law before turning to historical writing. He pursued a teaching career and
His major works include the multi-volume Histoire de France (begun in the 1830s and continued into the
Legacy aside from his influence on later historians, Michelet’s writings left a lasting mark on the style