# Lucien Febvre

> French historian (1878-1956)

**Wikidata**: [Q156999](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q156999)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucien_Febvre)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lucien-febvre

## Summary
Lucien Febvre was a French historian (1878–1956) who co-founded the *Annales* school, a major intellectual movement in 20th-century French historical thought. His work emphasized long-term historical analysis and interdisciplinary approaches, shaping modern historical methodology.

## Biography
- Born: July 22, 1878, in Strasbourg, France
- Nationality: French
- Education:
  - École Normale Supérieure (ENS Paris)
  - University of Burgundy Europe (Dijon)
  - Collège de France
  - University of Strasbourg
- Known for: Pioneering the *Annales* school of historical thought
- Employer(s):
  - École Normale Supérieure
  - University of Burgundy Europe
  - Collège de France
  - University of Strasbourg
  - School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS)
- Field(s): History, social sciences

## Contributions
- Co-founded the *Annales* school (1929) with Marc Bloch, revolutionizing historical methodology by emphasizing long-term cycles, quantitative analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches.
- Published *La Société féodale* (1939), a foundational work in the *Annales* tradition, analyzing medieval society through economic and demographic lenses.
- Served as a professor at prestigious institutions, including the Collège de France and EHESS, where he mentored generations of historians.
- Received multiple awards, including the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 and the Legion of Honour, recognizing his contributions to historical scholarship and World War I service.

## FAQs
**What was the *Annales* school, and who founded it?**
The *Annales* school was a French historical movement founded by Lucien Febvre and Marc Bloch in 1929. It emphasized long-term historical analysis, quantitative methods, and interdisciplinary approaches, shifting historical focus from individual events to broader societal patterns.

**Where did Lucien Febvre study and teach?**
Febvre studied at the École Normale Supérieure, the University of Burgundy Europe, and the University of Strasbourg. He taught at the Collège de France, the University of Strasbourg, and the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS).

**What was Lucien Febvre’s most influential work?**
His most influential work was *La Société féodale* (1939), a foundational text in the *Annales* tradition that analyzed medieval society through economic and demographic perspectives.

**What awards did Lucien Febvre receive?**
He received the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 and the Legion of Honour, among others, recognizing his contributions to historical scholarship and military service during World War I.

## Why They Matter
Lucien Febvre’s work fundamentally reshaped historical methodology, influencing generations of historians and social scientists. The *Annales* school’s emphasis on long-term cycles, quantitative analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches became foundational in modern historical thought. His contributions to the study of medieval society and his mentorship at institutions like EHESS ensured the enduring legacy of his ideas. Without Febvre, the *Annales* tradition would not have emerged, altering the course of historical research and intellectual discourse.

## Notable For
- Co-founder of the *Annales* school (1929), revolutionizing historical methodology
- Author of *La Société féodale* (1939), a landmark work in the *Annales* tradition
- Professor at the Collège de France and EHESS, shaping historical education
- Recipient of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 and the Legion of Honour
- Mentor to leading historians, including those who carried forward the *Annales* legacy

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Lucien Febvre was born on July 22, 1878, in Strasbourg, France. He studied at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS Paris), the University of Burgundy Europe (Dijon), and the Collège de France, where he later taught. His education laid the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach to history.

### Career and Academic Influence
Febvre began his academic career at the University of Strasbourg, where he taught history. He later joined the École Normale Supérieure and the Collège de France, where he became a professor. His work at these institutions helped establish him as a leading figure in French historical thought.

### The *Annales* School
In 1929, Febvre co-founded the *Annales* school with Marc Bloch. The movement emphasized long-term historical analysis, quantitative methods, and interdisciplinary approaches, shifting historical focus from individual events to broader societal patterns. This approach became foundational in modern historical methodology.

### Key Publications
Febvre’s most influential work was *La Société féodale* (1939), which analyzed medieval society through economic and demographic lenses. The book became a cornerstone of the *Annales* tradition and remains a key text in historical studies.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Febvre received numerous awards, including the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 and the Legion of Honour. These honors recognized his contributions to historical scholarship and his service during World War I.

### Legacy and Influence
Febvre’s legacy endures through the *Annales* school, which continues to shape historical research. His mentorship at institutions like EHESS ensured the enduring influence of his ideas. His work remains essential for understanding the long-term dynamics of society and the evolution of historical methodology.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. BeWeB
4. list of professors at Collège de France
5. Léonore database
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Bibliothèque nationale de France
8. CiNii Research
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. [Source](https://www.siv.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr/siv/POG/FRAN_POG_05/p-28ulksabm-9mro1kpfwxaw)
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
13. GeneaStar
14. Babelio
15. Proleksis Encyclopedia
16. Croatian Encyclopedia
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. National and University Library in Zagreb
19. La France savante
20. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
21. Enciclopedia Treccani
22. LIBRIS. 2012
23. Dizionario di Storia
24. LibraryThing
25. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
26. Catalogo of the National Library of India