Mark Bloch Historian Country: France

Biography of Marc Bloch

Marc Bloch was a French historian who was known for his contributions to the field of history. He was not just a writer, but also a practitioner, having served in both World War I and World War II.

One of Bloch's most famous works is his book "The Historian's Craft" or "The Apology for History". This book is considered one of the best works explaining the importance of the study of the past. In the opening pages of the book, Bloch shares with the reader a remarkable thought: it turns out that Christianity is the religion of historians. While other beliefs are often based on codes of prohibitions and permissions, the Bible preaches its moral values through the narrative of events in the form of Sacred History. Bloch explained that it is this historical thinking in Christianity that has contributed to the successes of European cultures.

Bloch wrote his work in fragments, hiding from the Gestapo. He relied solely on his own memory as he did not have access to books or archival resources. The circumstances in which he worked were far from academic. Bloch was offered the opportunity to emigrate to Algeria or the United States, but he declined. Despite the risks posed by his non-Aryan origin, he chose to stay in his occupied country.

"I am Jewish," wrote Bloch, "but I do not see this as a reason for pride or shame. I only defend my heritage in one circumstance: in the face of anti-Semitism." Eventually, he was located by the Gestapo. During interrogations, he remained steadfast and did not betray anyone. In his will, he wrote, "I die as I have lived, a good Frenchman."