Editorial: Economic History

Read The Historian 168: Economic History

It is only in recent decades that economic history has become integrated into the mainstream work of historians. Those of us who were undergraduates in the late twentieth century can remember university economic history departments being located in buildings on the other side of town from the main history department, with no apparent interaction taking place between the two. Now the important interrelationships between the economic, social, political and military aspects of history are central to mainstream study of the subject. So, although this edition of The Historian has a theme of economic history, it touches on all aspects of life and how they have affected and been affected by economic developments.

Themed articles in this edition explore economic activity in past societies on three different continents. In two of the themed articles the highly significant economic role of women is central to the historical developments being studied. In most of the articles there is also an emphasis on the workers who have been on the frontline of economic activity, often in tension with the demands of employers and governmental authorities.

A significant contribution by economic historians to the methodology of modern historical study has been the increased use of data and statistical analysis. The themed articles here include this kind of information, ranging from the balance sheets of medieval monasteries to production figures for the generation of electricity in the twentieth century. In all cases though, the use of numerical data is not allowed to obscure the human stories about the eternal quest for economic security undertaken across different continents by both genders and all social classes.

The non-themed articles include the usual regular features. Out and About takes us to a Bedfordshire site where airships were developed. Real Lives relates the adventures of a nineteenth century British seaman who later became a religious minister. Doing History explores the creation of a database on the Wars of the Roses. Other articles take us from medieval Lucera in southern Italy to early modern China.

Future issues of The Historian will include thematic editions on the histories of visual arts, disability and the media. If you have any questions on any of these topics, please send them to us (contact details are on the previous page) and we will aim to respond in our Ask The Historian feature.

We hope that 2026 has started well for you and that you continue to enjoy this edition of The Historian and indeed all editions in the year ahead.