# historiography

/hɪˌstɔɹiˈɑɡɹəfi/ (US) · /hˌɪstɔːɹɪˈɒɡɹəfi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/historiography
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

the study of how history is written and recorded. It looks at the different ways people have explained the past and how those explanations have changed over time.

For teachers: the study of the methods and principles used in the writing of history. It examines the development of historical scholarship and the various schools of thought regarding the interpretation of the past.

## Examples

- The historiography of the war has changed significantly over the last fifty years.
- Scholars of the period often debate the historiography of the revolution, focusing on whether it was a sudden uprising or a slow process.
- The historiography of the nineteenth century remains a contentious field, as modern researchers challenge the traditional narrative established by Victorian historians who viewed the era through a strictly national lens.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.