He was educated at the Monoux SchoolWalthamstow and was then a Scholar of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge from 1931 to 1934 and took first-class honours in both parts of the Historical Tripos. He had a long association with the college and was subsequently a Research Fellow, a Fellow and finally a Master.
Career
He worked as a university lecturer in history and was a visiting professor at Columbia University in New York. His works included Europe Since Napoleon (Longmans, 1957); World History from 1914 to 1961 (1963); Democracy in France since 1870 (1964) and two volumes of the Pelican History of England, which covered the 19th and the 20th centuries.[1]
Approach
In his preface to the Pelican edition (1966) of Europe Since Napoleon, Thomson wrote that he had attempted to present "the history of the last 150 years of European civilisation in a new way".[1] He doubted the "conventional belief" that countries must be treated separately except when their delegates convene for a conference. He held that "tendencies which transcend several nations at once have a rather special historical importance".[1] He argued that this approach would ensure a cohesion and coherence that "seem appropriate in our postwar experience".[1]
Again using Europe Since Napoleon as an example, whose scope is Europe since 1815, Thomson points out a "necessary prologue" with four main phases since the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. He listed the phases as "Revolution, War, Dictatorship, Empire" and sets out to show how each gave place to the next and how profound and permanent was their cumulative impact on later generations.[2] Beginning with the situation in France in 1789, Thomson wrote of the paradox that no significant group wanted revolution, but it happened because of the other things that they wanted. Much had been made by previous historians of an assumed "revolutionary spirit" abroad in France that had been generated by philosophes such as Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Thomson argued that a connection between their ideas and the revolution was remote and indirect. They did not preach revolution and were happy to be patronised by any aristocrat so willing. It was only later that their ideas and doctrines were used to justify revolutionary events. Instead, Thomson argued, what mattered in 1789 was a "revolutionary situation" that turned people into revolutionaries in spite of themselves. The philosophes played no part in the creation of this situation which came about essentially because the King, and thereby the entire French State, was in dire financial straits. The state of the economy, not philosophical belief, caused the French Revolution.[3]
Bibliography
Personality and politics
The Democratic ideal in France and England (1940)
England in the 19th Century 1815-1914 (1951) online
Personality and politics
The Democratic ideal in France and England
England in the 20th Century 1914-1963 (1965)
Europe Since Napoleon (Longmans, 1957)
References
^ abcdDavid Thomson : Europe Since Napoleon (Longmans, 1957) – frontispiece of 1978 Penguin edition.
david, thomson, historian, david, thomson, 1912, 1970, english, historian, wrote, several, books, about, british, european, history, contents, education, career, approach, bibliography, references, external, linkseducation, edithe, educated, monoux, school, wa. David Thomson 1912 1970 was an English historian who wrote several books about British and European history Contents 1 Education 2 Career 3 Approach 4 Bibliography 5 References 6 External linksEducation EditHe was educated at the Monoux School Walthamstow and was then a Scholar of Sidney Sussex College Cambridge from 1931 to 1934 and took first class honours in both parts of the Historical Tripos He had a long association with the college and was subsequently a Research Fellow a Fellow and finally a Master Career EditHe worked as a university lecturer in history and was a visiting professor at Columbia University in New York His works included Europe Since Napoleon Longmans 1957 World History from 1914 to 1961 1963 Democracy in France since 1870 1964 and two volumes of the Pelican History of England which covered the 19th and the 20th centuries 1 Approach EditIn his preface to the Pelican edition 1966 of Europe Since Napoleon Thomson wrote that he had attempted to present the history of the last 150 years of European civilisation in a new way 1 He doubted the conventional belief that countries must be treated separately except when their delegates convene for a conference He held that tendencies which transcend several nations at once have a rather special historical importance 1 He argued that this approach would ensure a cohesion and coherence that seem appropriate in our postwar experience 1 Again using Europe Since Napoleon as an example whose scope is Europe since 1815 Thomson points out a necessary prologue with four main phases since the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789 He listed the phases as Revolution War Dictatorship Empire and sets out to show how each gave place to the next and how profound and permanent was their cumulative impact on later generations 2 Beginning with the situation in France in 1789 Thomson wrote of the paradox that no significant group wanted revolution but it happened because of the other things that they wanted Much had been made by previous historians of an assumed revolutionary spirit abroad in France that had been generated by philosophes such as Voltaire and Jean Jacques Rousseau Thomson argued that a connection between their ideas and the revolution was remote and indirect They did not preach revolution and were happy to be patronised by any aristocrat so willing It was only later that their ideas and doctrines were used to justify revolutionary events Instead Thomson argued what mattered in 1789 was a revolutionary situation that turned people into revolutionaries in spite of themselves The philosophes played no part in the creation of this situation which came about essentially because the King and thereby the entire French State was in dire financial straits The state of the economy not philosophical belief caused the French Revolution 3 Bibliography EditPersonality and politics The Democratic ideal in France and England 1940 England in the 19th Century 1815 1914 1951 online Personality and politics The Democratic ideal in France and England England in the 20th Century 1914 1963 1965 Europe Since Napoleon Longmans 1957 References Edit a b c d David Thomson Europe Since Napoleon Longmans 1957 frontispiece of 1978 Penguin edition Thomson Europe Since Napoleon p 23 Thomson Europe Since Napoleon pp 24 25 External links EditWorldCat Identities most widely held works by David Thomson and their library distributionAcademic officesPreceded byThomas Knox Shaw Master of Sidney Sussex College Cambridge1957 1970 Succeeded byJohn Wilfrid Linnett Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title David Thomson historian amp oldid 1108568225, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
