The Historical Journal
Harold Temperley established The Cambridge Historical Journal in 1923. This academic publication began as a focused review of historical scholarship within the British context. Editors at the University of Cambridge managed its early years with strict peer-review standards. A significant shift occurred in 1958 when the editorial team changed the name to The Historical Journal. They removed the word Cambridge from the title to signal a broader global perspective. Despite this rebranding, the journal remained under the oversight of the History Faculty at the University of Cambridge. The decision reflected a desire to include world history alongside traditional European studies.
Dr. Rachel Leow currently serves as an editor for The Historical Journal. She holds her position within the Faculty of History at Cambridge University. Her work involves overseeing submissions and guiding the peer-review process for new manuscripts. Dr. John Gallagher also shares editorial duties with his base at the University of Leeds. These two scholars represent the current leadership structure that manages the journal's daily operations. Their combined expertise covers diverse historical periods and geographical regions. The editors ensure that both established academics and younger scholars receive fair consideration during the evaluation phase.
The journal publishes approximately thirty-five articles each year on various historical topics. These contributions cover all aspects of British, European, and world history since the fifteenth century. Each issue also contains numerous review articles covering a wide range of historical literature. Contributing authors include historians of established academic reputation as well as younger scholars making their debut in the profession. This mix ensures a balance between veteran insights and fresh perspectives from emerging researchers. The annual output remains consistent despite changes in global political landscapes or academic trends over decades.
Scholars rely on major databases to locate content from The Historical Journal. The Social Sciences Citation Index abstracts its content for easy retrieval by researchers worldwide. Arts and Humanities Citation Index provides another layer of accessibility for humanities-focused inquiries. Historical Abstracts and Periodicals Index Online further expand the reach of these published works. Scopus and ABELL serve as additional repositories where this material is cataloged. These indexing services allow students and professors to find specific articles without searching through physical archives. The presence in multiple databases confirms the journal's standing within the broader academic community.
A centennial reflection marked one hundred years of teaching history at Cambridge during 1973. G. Kitson Clark wrote about this milestone in an article titled A Hundred Years of the Teaching of History at Cambridge, 1873, 1973. The publication appeared in volume 16 issue 3 of the journal itself. This self-referential piece highlights the enduring role of the periodical in British and European historiography. It continues to influence how historians understand the past while maintaining rigorous standards. The transition from a local focus to a global scope has allowed it to remain relevant for over a century.
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Common questions
When was The Historical Journal established?
Harold Temperley established the journal in 1923. It began as a focused review of historical scholarship within the British context.
Why did The Historical Journal change its name from The Cambridge Historical Journal?
Editors changed the name to The Historical Journal in 1958 to signal a broader global perspective. They removed the word Cambridge from the title while keeping oversight under the History Faculty at the University of Cambridge.
Who currently serves as editors for The Historical Journal?
Dr. Rachel Leow and Dr. John Gallagher share editorial duties for the publication. Dr. Leow holds her position within the Faculty of History at Cambridge University, while Dr. Gallagher is based at the University of Leeds.
How many articles does The Historical Journal publish each year?
The journal publishes approximately thirty-five articles annually on various historical topics. These contributions cover all aspects of British, European, and world history since the fifteenth century.
Which databases index content from The Historical Journal?
Major databases including the Social Sciences Citation Index, Arts and Humanities Citation Index, Historical Abstracts, Periodicals Index Online, Scopus, and ABELL catalog the journal's material. These services allow researchers worldwide to retrieve specific articles without searching through physical archives.