Ranke Library
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The Ranke Library was Leopold von Ranke's collection of over 21,000 items. It was purchased by the Syracuse University Library on April 22, 1887, which outbid the Prussian government.[1] The purchase catapulted Syracuse University Library onto the global library stage, making it the third largest library in New York state.[2] The collection was described as "the finest collection of primary source materials ever assembled by one man for the study of western history".[3]
Background
Leopold Von Ranke
Leopold von Ranke (21 December 1795 – 23 May 1886) was a German historian and a founder of modern source-based history.[4][5] According to Caroline Hoefferle, "Ranke was probably the most important historian to shape [the] historical profession as it emerged in Europe and the United States in the late 19th century."[6] He was able to implement the seminar teaching method in his classroom and focused on archival research and analysis of historical documents. Building on the methods of the Göttingen School of History,[7] Ranke set the standards for much of later historical writing.[8]
Syracuse University Library
Syracuse University had few books when classes began in 1871, and the library's collection was held in temporary housing. By 1875, the library still held only 2,300 items. Until 1888, the library would spend an average of $26 dollars a year on purchasing items, and largely grew only due to donations.[2]
Collection
The collection consists of around 17,000 books, 4,000 pamphlets and 430 manuscripts. In 1984, it was valued at around $3 million (equivalent to $9.1 million in 2024). It includes a first edition of Martin Luther's Table Talk,[3] Upon its purchase by Syracuse in 1887, The New York Times described the collection as "probably the rarest historical one ever owned by any one in the world".[9]
History
In 1875, a wealthy cleric, John Morrison Reid, was convinced by Syracuse University librarian Charles W. Bennett of the necessity to purchase more books for the library. Reid soon donated $5,000 towards the purchase of additional books by the library. While on a trip to Europe, Bennett learned that the Ranke library would soon become available for purchase. He soon communicated his desire to Reid that the library purchase the collection when it was put up for sale. At least six university libraries, including Cornell, Harvard and Yale also considered purchasing the collection. When Ranke died in 1886, it was largely expected that the Prussian government would purchase the collection.[3]
In an effort to secure the collection for Syracuse, Bennett contacted the oldest son of Ranke, Otto von Ranke. He gave Bennett first refusal if Prussian government turned the library down.[3]
References
- ^ Muir, Edward (1983). The Leopold Von Ranke Manuscript Collection of Syracuse University: The Complete Catalogue (in Italian). Syracuse University Press. ISBN 9780815622949.
- ^ a b Stam, David H. (2016-01-08). International Dictionary of Library Histories. Routledge. p. 730. ISBN 9781136777851.
- ^ a b c d Coville, Bruce (October 1984). "Treasure in the Library Attic: Von Ranke at Syracuse". Wilson Library Bulletin. 59 (2): 98–102. ISSN 0043-5651.
- ^ Fritz Stern (ed.), The Varieties of History, Vintage, 1973, p. 54: "Leopold von Ranke (1795–1886) is the father as well as the master of modern historical scholarship."
- ^ Green and Troup (eds.), The Houses of History, p. 2: "Leopold von Ranke was instrumental in establishing professional standards for historical training at the University of Berlin between 1824 and 1871."
- ^ Hoefferle, Caroline (2011). The Essential Historiography Reader. Boston, MA: Pearson. p. 68.
- ^ Iggers, Georg (1 November 2010). The Theory and Practice of History: Edited with an Introduction by Georg G. Iggers. Routledge. pp. 19–. ISBN 978-1-136-88292-0.
- ^ Gilbert, Felix (Summer 1987). "Histioriography: What Ranke Meant". The American Scholar.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Von Ranke's Library.; a Prize Secured for the Syracuse University". The New York Times. 1888-03-11. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
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