Question

Explain the following statement with reason.

Voltaire is said to be the founder of modern historiography.

Answer 1

1. The French academic Voltaire held that history should be grounded in social traditions, trade, the economy, agriculture, and other aspects of society in addition to objective truth and the chronological order of historical events.
2. He therefore placed a higher priority on understanding all facets of humanity than simply political or military events when writing history. 
3. He also advocated a logical and scientific method of researching the past and disapproved of religious and mythical explanations for it.
4. His focus on historical source examination and critical thinking has an impact on contemporary historiography.
5. Thus, Voltaire is rightly regarded as the father of modern historiography for shaping history as a study of society, economy, and culture rather than just a record of rulers and wars.