Article

Historiography

Published Online February 7, 2006

Last Edited March 4, 2015

Historiography, the published product of the historian's declared interest in the past; the writing of history. It is not by itself "history," but is by necessity part of the historical record.
Creighton, Donald Grant
Receiving an honorary degree, 1974. He was one of Canada's foremost historians, known particularly for his skilful writing (courtesy Library and Archives Canada/123984).
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Historiography

Historiography, the published product of the historian's declared interest in the past; the writing of history. It is not by itself "history," but is by necessity part of the historical record. The serious study of history therefore also requires an awareness of the historical conditions and social assumptions that give rise to different forms of historiographical interpretation.

The Canadian historiographic corpus has developed separately in English Canada and French Canada, but similarities exist. History, once the amateur's preserve, has come to be written principally by professional scholars, both anglophone and francophone. The establishment of such national agencies as the National Archives of Canada (NAC) and such bodies as the Royal Society of Canada was of benefit to both. Approaches to the recording of history still differ, as do preoccupations in the choice of subject matter; but conferences and journals now provide forums for the sharing of historiographic materials, knowledge and methodology.

See also Historiography in French; Historiography in English.