History: Professional Scholarship in America

History: Professional Scholarship in America traces the development of historical scholarship in the United States from the early nineteenth century through the 1960s. Through this examination, Higham documents the transformation of history from an amateur pursuit into an academic profession. The book follows key shifts in historical practice, methodology, and institutional structures that shaped the field. Higham analyzes the emergence of history departments in universities, the creation of professional organizations, and changes in research standards over time. The narrative moves through distinct periods including the nationalist historians of the early republic, the scientific historians of the late 1800s, and the progressive historians of the early twentieth century. Major figures like Frederick Jackson Turner, Charles Beard, and Carl Becker receive focused attention within their historical contexts. This work stands as both a history of the historical profession and a broader study of how intellectual disciplines evolve and institutionalize themselves in American academic life. The book raises questions about objectivity, professionalization, and the relationship between scholarship and national identity.

This book appears to have limited public reader reviews available online. The few academic readers who discussed it found it provides clear analysis of how American historical scholarship evolved and professionalized in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of historiographical developments - Discussion of key figures like Turner and Beard - Analysis of how academic history separated from amateur history Main criticisms: - Focus on elite institutions/figures while overlooking others - Some dated perspectives (book published in 1965) Available Ratings: Goodreads: No ratings Amazon: No customer reviews WorldCat: 1,035 libraries hold copies Most commentary comes from scholarly book reviews in academic journals rather than general reader reviews. The book seems to be used primarily in graduate-level historiography courses rather than by general readers.

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🔹 John Higham's book, published in 1965, was one of the first comprehensive studies of how history became a professional academic discipline in the United States. 🔹 The author traced how American historical writing evolved from amateur gentleman scholars in the 18th century to university-based professional historians by the early 20th century. 🔹 During his research career at Johns Hopkins University, Higham pioneered the study of American immigration and ethnic history, helping establish it as a legitimate field of historical inquiry. 🔹 The book explores how the German model of scientific history, with its emphasis on archival research and footnoted documentation, transformed American historical scholarship in the late 19th century. 🔹 Higham argues that the professionalization of history led to more rigorous standards but also created barriers between academic historians and the general public – a tension that continues to influence historical writing today.