Sir Herbert Butterfield (1900–79) was an English historian and philosopher of history, known for his influential works on historiography, diplomacy, and the philosophy of history. His writings challenged conventional interpretations and shaped modern historical thought.
Born in Oxenhope, West Yorkshire, he studied at Peterhouse, Cambridge, later becoming a fellow. He served as Master of Peterhouse (1955–68) and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (1959–61.) His academic focus included historiography, Christianity in history, and international relations. In later years, he contributed to the British Committee on the Theory of International Politics, engaging in diplomacy and global affairs discussions.
His most notable work, The Whig Interpretation of History (1931,) critiqued historians’ tendency to frame history as progress toward modern ideals. Other key books include The Origins of Modern Science (1949) on scientific thought, Man on His Past (1955) on historical methodology, Christianity and History (1949) on faith in historical analysis, and George III and the Historians (1957) on perspectives of the British monarch.
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Those people work more wisely who seek to achieve good in their own small corner of the world … than those who are forever thinking that life is in vain, unless one can … do big things.
—Herbert Butterfield
Topics: One Step at a Time
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