A History of the University in Europe
The European University Association commissioned a massive four-volume book series in 1992. Cambridge University Press published the first volume that same year. The project spanned nearly two decades, concluding with the final release in 2011. Walter Rüegg edited the last two volumes after Hilde de Ridder-Symoens handled the initial pair. International experts contributed individual chapters to each section of the work. This structure allowed for specialized knowledge within a unified framework. The series aimed to cover the history from medieval origins until the present day.
Volume I examines universities emerging during the Middle Ages and developing until around 1500. Edward Grant called the first part the best single volume on medieval university history. Susan Rosa noted it set a standard for competency in historical research. Christopher Ocker described it as the first thorough survey spanning every country since the institution's birth. Matthew Kempshall observed the text might idealize the university as supranational. The field of medieval science received less attention than other areas according to reviewers. Competent editorship produced outstanding contributions across the board.
Volume II covers the period from the Reformation until the French Revolution between 1500 and 1800. The book follows a standardized systematic pattern throughout all four volumes. The second part deals with institutional structures of the university itself. The third section focuses on students, their education, activities, and careers. Individual fields of learning taught in the university form the fourth part. Each section divides into several chapters composed by specialists. The main approach remains holistic rather than covering individual institutions separately.
Volume III analyzes the rise of the modern university system leading up to World War II. Walter Rüegg edited this volume published in 2004. The text spans the years 1800 through 1945. It maintains the same structural pattern established in earlier books. The series aims less at covering specific universities and more at character and historical trajectory. International experts contributed specialized knowledge to each chapter. This approach allows for comprehensive coverage without losing focus on the institution as a whole.
The final volume examines universities since 1945 up to the present time. Cambridge University Press released it in 2011 under editor Walter Rüegg. As of that year, the series had been fully published in English and German. Translations appeared in Spanish and Portuguese for the first volumes only. Preparations were underway for Russian and Chinese versions. The work stands as the most comprehensive and authoritative source on European university history today. Its scope rivals only one previous multi-volume work from the early nineteenth century.
Reviewers welcomed the book as an overhaul of Hastings Rashdall's long-time standard work. Edward Grant praised its comprehensiveness, readability, and authority produced by competent editorship. Susan Rosa favorably mentioned the collaborative effort which produced little overlap between topics. Christopher Ocker lauded the survey but noted medieval science was somewhat neglected. Matthew Kempshall felt the text might have idealized the university too much. The editors stated no other work matched its comprehensive scope except Geschichte der Entstehung und Entwickelung der hohen Schulen unsres Erdtheils published between 1802 and 1805.
Common questions
When was the European University Association book series commissioned?
The European University Association commissioned the four-volume book series in 1992. Cambridge University Press published the first volume that same year.
Who edited the final volumes of the European University Association book series?
Walter Rüegg edited the last two volumes after Hilde de Ridder-Symoens handled the initial pair. The final volume examining universities since 1945 appeared under his editorship in 2011.
What time periods do the four volumes of the European University Association book series cover?
Volume I examines universities emerging during the Middle Ages and developing until around 1500. Volume II covers the period from the Reformation until the French Revolution between 1500 and 1800. Volume III analyzes the rise of the modern university system leading up to World War II spanning the years 1800 through 1945. The final volume examines universities since 1945 up to the present time.
Which languages were the European University Association book series translated into by 2011?
As of 2011, the series had been fully published in English and German. Translations appeared in Spanish and Portuguese for the first volumes only while preparations were underway for Russian and Chinese versions.
How does the European University Association book series compare to Hastings Rashdall's work?
Reviewers welcomed the book as an overhaul of Hastings Rashdall's long-time standard work. The editors stated no other work matched its comprehensive scope except Geschichte der Entstehung und Entwickelung der hohen Schulen unsres Erdtheils published between 1802 and 1805.