When was Geoffrey Elton born and where?
Geoffrey Elton was born on the 17th of August 1921 in Tübingen, Germany. He was originally named Gottfried Rudolf Otto Ehrenberg before anglicising his name during his military service.
Questions about Geoffrey Elton
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What major historical argument did Geoffrey Elton make about Thomas Cromwell?
Geoffrey Elton argued that Thomas Cromwell authored modern bureaucratic government which replaced medieval household-based administration. This work established Cromwell as the central figure behind the break with Rome and the reforms between 1532 and 1540.
Who were some notable students taught by Geoffrey Elton at Cambridge University?
John Guy studied under Geoffrey Elton at Cambridge University along with Diarmaid MacCulloch. Susan Brigden and David Starkey were also among his pupils who became prominent historians.
Why did Geoffrey Elton write The Practice of History in 1967?
Geoffrey Elton wrote The Practice of History largely in response to E. H. Carr's book What is History? published in 1961. He defended nineteenth-century empirical history associated with Leopold von Ranke against Marxist interpretations and postmodernism.
When did Geoffrey Elton die and what caused his death?
Geoffrey Elton died of a heart attack at his home in Cambridge on the 4th of December 1994. He had previously served as Regius Professor of Modern History from 1983 to 1988.