The History of France (Vol. 1-6) (ePub)

François Guizot (1787-1874) was a prominent French historian, statesman, and writer who occupies a distinguished position in the historical scholarship of France. Born in Nîmes during a turbulent revolutionary period, he witnessed the rise and fall of numerous French governments. Guizot's academic pursuits resulted in his appointment as a history professor at the Sorbonne, where he influenced many with his oratorial and pedagogical aptitude. His political acumen saw him serve as Minister of Education and later Prime Minister under King Louis Philippe, advocating for a constitutional monarchy. Guizot's rigorous dedication to liberal conservatism was embedded in his political and academic works. His seminal series, 'The History of France from the Earliest Times to the Year 1789' (translated title), published in six volumes between 1829 and 1832, remains an expansive and detailed examination of France's progression through periods of monarchy, despotism, and democracy. Guizot was an exemplar of the 'liberal school' of historiography, emphasizing the importance of political institutions and the rule of law, rather than individuals or class conflict, in shaping historical progression. His narrative style, combined with his comprehensive research, contributed significantly to nineteenth-century historiography, and his works continue to function as an essential reference for the study of French history.