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Ernest LabrousseFrench historian
Date of Birth: 16.03.1895
Country:  France |
Content:
- Ernest Labrousse: Life and Legacy of a French Historian
- Political Engagement and Transition to History
- Socialist Beliefs and Political Activism
- Association with the Annales School
- Economic and Social History Research
- Crisis of the French Economy
- Three Levels of History
- Legacy and Contributions to the Annales School
Ernest Labrousse: Life and Legacy of a French Historian
Early Life and EducationErnest Labrousse, a prominent French historian, was born on March 16th in Barbezieux, France, to a family of craftsmen. He studied history at the Sorbonne under the tutelage of Alphonse Aulard, developing an early interest in political economy.
Political Engagement and Transition to History
While pursuing his dissertation on revolutionary social legislation, Labrousse's academic trajectory shifted when he enrolled in law school in 1919. However, in 1926, he returned to economic history, culminating in the completion of his dissertation in 1943. Labrousse's journey from political economy through law to history shaped his unique perspective.
Socialist Beliefs and Political Activism
Labrousse was a lifelong socialist and active political figure. A journalist for "L'Humanité" and a member of the Socialist Party from 1916, he later joined the French Communist Party after the Congress of Tours in 1920. He eventually rejoined the French section of the 2nd International and became a member of the Unified Socialist Party in the 1960s. Despite retiring from political activity in 1967, Labrousse remained unwavering in his Marxist and socialist ideals.
Association with the Annales School
Although Labrousse's appointment as director of research at the École Pratique des Hautes Études in 1938 was facilitated by Marc Bloch, he is not considered a full member of the Annales School of historiography. Despite his late entry into historical research, Labrousse made significant contributions to the field under the influence of François Simiand.
Economic and Social History Research
Labrousse's seminal work, "Esquisse du mouvement des prix et des revenus en France au XVIIIe siècle," published in 1933, revolutionized the study of economic history. This work established rigorous research methodologies that extended beyond economics to demography and socio-cultural phenomena.
Crisis of the French Economy
After succeeding Marc Bloch at the Sorbonne after the war, Labrousse published his most famous work, "La Crise de l'économie française à la fin de l'ancien régime et au début de la Révolution," in 1944. This work highlighted the inextricable link between economic and social history, emphasizing the influence of bread prices on industrial production.
Three Levels of History
Labrousse's approach to history involved dividing it into three levels: "economy," "society," and "civilization." He argued that their rates of change differed, with economics evolving the fastest, social structures following more slowly, and ideology and culture being the most resistant to transformation.
Legacy and Contributions to the Annales School
Labrousse's three-level concept became central to the Annales School's research framework, as reflected in its subheading from 1946 to 1992: "Annales. Économies. Sociétés. Civilisations." Labrousse's work influenced generations of historians, profoundly shaping the study of social and economic history in France and beyond.
