Erik Arup
Encyclopedia
Erik Ipsen Arup was a Danish historian, known as the pioneer of radical-liberal history writing in Denmark.
Born as the son of a Zealandian provincial doctor, he grew up during the long years of the Danish constitutional struggle. As a young man he was deeply impressed by Viggo Hørup
and his political anti-militarist line. He was educated as both a theologian and a historian. During World War I
Arup was connected to the social-liberal
Zahle
cabinet as a permanent under-secretary. From 1916 to 1947 he was a professor at the University of Copenhagen
.
First and foremost, Arup should be seen as one of the early Scandinavian materialist historians. His breakthrough came with his dissertation Studier i engelsk og tysk Handels Historie (Studies in German and English History of Trade, 1907), a pioneering work stressing the geographic and economic, instead of the national or ethnic, background behind the development of trade. In addition to this work, he notably wrote on economic history in Schleswig-Holstein
, on medieval economy, and on 18th Century foreign policy - besides producing a quick and popular biography of his inspirational figure Hørup (1941).
Arup's main work, however, is his unfinished Danmarks Historie (History of Denmark, published 1925-32) covering Danish history until 1624 (a posthumous volume, published in 1955, deals with the period until 1665). It was conceived as a textbook for the University but was, because of the considerable debate attending the publication of its first parts, never completed. What is innovative in this work is Arup's coverage of his country's evolution mainly from the angle of material development, of agriculture, of trade, and to some extent of public health. Political or international relations are not ignored, but are somewhat relegated to the background. The work is strongly influenced by the author's political views: his favourite aversions are war policy and militarism, arbitrary royal power, a number of national-patriotic myths, and in general everything he interprets as nationalist views. Among the author's ”victims” are thus Saxo Grammaticus
, Absalon
, King Christian IV, while men such as Christian II or some medieval opposition figures are given more approval. Arup's language is sharp and committed, marked by his unambiguous views. He concentrates on period documents rather than chronicles or other secondary narratives, and more generally introduces strict demands regarding source
criticism. Demands that do not, however, preclude his own audacious conclusions.
The book provoked embittered attacks from many Danish historians. Arup was accused of non-patriotic views and of superficiality (he did not mention any sources in his work). Much of this may have been a more or less predictable conservative reaction against social-liberal views that were far from broadly accepted or understood at the time. More relevant today perhaps, is the critique of Arup as lacking historical feel and holding anachronistic views (such as his attempt to find “parliamentarian” traces in medieval government). Also, it has been argued that his work is more a reevaluation of existing values than a set of new discoveries. Nonetheless, this History of Denmark is in its own country still regarded as the most consistent break with traditional historical writing, and has offered much inspiration to later social-liberal and Marxist historians. Thus if Arup, through much of his work and career, was on collision course with many colleagues of his age, he did acquire many faithful followers among younger historians. Still, the heated debate around his book wounded the polemical but also vulnerable Arup and inhibited his interest in finishing his work.
Arup was also the editor of Historisk Tidsskrift
(Historical Review) from 1917 to 1924, involved in editing Danish medieval sources from 1931 to 1937, and for some years collaborator to the pioneering Danish-Swedish periodical Scandia. He took a particular interest in Iceland
and, as member of several organisations dealing with Danish-Icelandic relations, he generally showed himself compliant with Icelandic views.
In many ways Arup considered himself a modern heir to Arild Huitfeldt
. Among congenial contemporaries, Swedish Curt Weibull
, founder of Scandia, should be highlighted. Arup's methodological views also appear inspired by French historians such as Charles Seignobos and Charles-Victor Langlois
.
He was the cousin of Sir Ove Arup
.
Born as the son of a Zealandian provincial doctor, he grew up during the long years of the Danish constitutional struggle. As a young man he was deeply impressed by Viggo Hørup
Viggo Hørup
Viggo Lauritz Bentheim Hørup , was a Danish politician, journalist and agitator.He was the father to Ellen Hørup .One of the most influential politicians of the Danish non-Socialist left wing....
and his political anti-militarist line. He was educated as both a theologian and a historian. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Arup was connected to the social-liberal
Det Radikale Venstre
The Danish Social Liberal Party is a social liberal political party in Denmark. The party is a member of Liberal International and the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party.-Origin:...
Zahle
Carl Theodor Zahle
Carl Theodor Zahle , Danish lawyer and politician; prime minister of Denmark 1909-1910, 1913-1920. In 1895 he was elected member of the lower chamber of the Danish parliament, Folketinget, for Venstrereformpartiet...
cabinet as a permanent under-secretary. From 1916 to 1947 he was a professor at the University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 students, the majority of whom are female , and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen, with the...
.
First and foremost, Arup should be seen as one of the early Scandinavian materialist historians. His breakthrough came with his dissertation Studier i engelsk og tysk Handels Historie (Studies in German and English History of Trade, 1907), a pioneering work stressing the geographic and economic, instead of the national or ethnic, background behind the development of trade. In addition to this work, he notably wrote on economic history in Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany, comprising most of the historical duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig...
, on medieval economy, and on 18th Century foreign policy - besides producing a quick and popular biography of his inspirational figure Hørup (1941).
Arup's main work, however, is his unfinished Danmarks Historie (History of Denmark, published 1925-32) covering Danish history until 1624 (a posthumous volume, published in 1955, deals with the period until 1665). It was conceived as a textbook for the University but was, because of the considerable debate attending the publication of its first parts, never completed. What is innovative in this work is Arup's coverage of his country's evolution mainly from the angle of material development, of agriculture, of trade, and to some extent of public health. Political or international relations are not ignored, but are somewhat relegated to the background. The work is strongly influenced by the author's political views: his favourite aversions are war policy and militarism, arbitrary royal power, a number of national-patriotic myths, and in general everything he interprets as nationalist views. Among the author's ”victims” are thus Saxo Grammaticus
Saxo Grammaticus
Saxo Grammaticus also known as Saxo cognomine Longus was a Danish historian, thought to have been a secular clerk or secretary to Absalon, Archbishop of Lund, foremost advisor to Valdemar I of Denmark. He is the author of the first full history of Denmark.- Life :The Jutland Chronicle gives...
, Absalon
Absalon
Absalon was a Danish archbishop and statesman, who was the Bishop of Roskilde from 1158 to 1192 and Archbishop of Lund from 1178 until his death. He was the foremost politician and churchfather of Denmark in the second half of the 12th century, and was the closest advisor of King Valdemar I of...
, King Christian IV, while men such as Christian II or some medieval opposition figures are given more approval. Arup's language is sharp and committed, marked by his unambiguous views. He concentrates on period documents rather than chronicles or other secondary narratives, and more generally introduces strict demands regarding source
Source text
A source text is a text from which information or ideas are derived. In translation, a source text is the original text that is to be translated into another language.-Description:...
criticism. Demands that do not, however, preclude his own audacious conclusions.
The book provoked embittered attacks from many Danish historians. Arup was accused of non-patriotic views and of superficiality (he did not mention any sources in his work). Much of this may have been a more or less predictable conservative reaction against social-liberal views that were far from broadly accepted or understood at the time. More relevant today perhaps, is the critique of Arup as lacking historical feel and holding anachronistic views (such as his attempt to find “parliamentarian” traces in medieval government). Also, it has been argued that his work is more a reevaluation of existing values than a set of new discoveries. Nonetheless, this History of Denmark is in its own country still regarded as the most consistent break with traditional historical writing, and has offered much inspiration to later social-liberal and Marxist historians. Thus if Arup, through much of his work and career, was on collision course with many colleagues of his age, he did acquire many faithful followers among younger historians. Still, the heated debate around his book wounded the polemical but also vulnerable Arup and inhibited his interest in finishing his work.
Arup was also the editor of Historisk Tidsskrift
Historisk Tidsskrift
Historisk Tidsskrift is a Danish history journal established in 1840. It is the oldest extant national journal for history. It is currently published in two fascicles each year. The first editor was Christian Molbech...
(Historical Review) from 1917 to 1924, involved in editing Danish medieval sources from 1931 to 1937, and for some years collaborator to the pioneering Danish-Swedish periodical Scandia. He took a particular interest in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
and, as member of several organisations dealing with Danish-Icelandic relations, he generally showed himself compliant with Icelandic views.
In many ways Arup considered himself a modern heir to Arild Huitfeldt
Arild Huitfeldt
Arild Huitfeldt was a Danish historian and state official, known for his vernacular Chronicle of Denmark.-Life:...
. Among congenial contemporaries, Swedish Curt Weibull
Curt Weibull
Curt Weibull was a Swedish historian, educator and author.-Biography:Curt Hugo Johannes Weibull was born in Lund, Sweden. He was a member of the noted Swedish Weibull family. He was the son of history professor Martin Weibull and the brother of Lauritz Weibull, Alexander Weibull, Julius Oscar...
, founder of Scandia, should be highlighted. Arup's methodological views also appear inspired by French historians such as Charles Seignobos and Charles-Victor Langlois
Charles-Victor Langlois
Charles-Victor Langlois was a French historian and paleographer, who specialized in the study of the Middle Ages and taught at the Sorbonne....
.
He was the cousin of Sir Ove Arup
Ove Arup
Sir Ove Nyquist Arup, CBE, MICE, MIStructE known as Ove Arup, was a leading Anglo-Danish engineer and generally considered to be one of the foremost architectural structural engineers of his time...
.