Eric Hobsbawm

Eric Hobsbawm

Eric John Ernest Hobsbawm (9 June 1917 – 1 October 2012) was a British historian of the rise of industrial capitalism, socialism, and nationalism. He is considered one of the most prominent historians of the 20th century. His best-known works include his trilogy on the "long 19th century": The Age of Revolution: Europe 1789–1848, The Age of Capital: 1848–1875, and The Age of Empire: 1875–1914.

Early Life and Education

Eric Hobsbawm was born in Alexandria, Egypt, to a Jewish family. His father, Leopold Percy Hobsbaum, was a British citizen, and his mother, Nelly Grün, was from Austria. After the death of his parents, Hobsbawm moved to Berlin to live with his uncle. He attended the University of Cambridge, where he studied history and became involved with the Communist Party of Great Britain.

Academic Career

Hobsbawm's academic career began at Birkbeck, University of London, where he taught for many years. He was known for his Marxist perspective on history, which influenced his analysis of the social and economic transformations of the 19th and 20th centuries. His work often focused on the "dual revolution" of the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution.

Major Works

The Age of Revolution

The Age of Revolution: Europe 1789–1848 is the first book in Hobsbawm's trilogy on the "long 19th century." It examines the political and economic changes that occurred in Europe during this period, emphasizing the impact of the French and Industrial Revolutions.

The Age of Capital

The Age of Capital: 1848–1875 continues the story, focusing on the expansion of capitalism and the consolidation of the bourgeoisie as the dominant social class. Hobsbawm explores the economic and social changes that accompanied the spread of industrialization.

The Age of Empire

The Age of Empire: 1875–1914 concludes the trilogy by analyzing the period of imperial expansion and the tensions that led to the outbreak of World War I. Hobsbawm discusses the rise of nationalism and the complex interplay of global forces during this era.

Political Views

Hobsbawm was a lifelong Marxist and a member of the Communist Party Historians Group. His political views often informed his historical analysis, and he was known for his critical stance on capitalism and imperialism. Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union, Hobsbawm remained committed to Marxist principles, though he acknowledged the failures of 20th-century communism.

Legacy

Eric Hobsbawm's work has had a lasting impact on the field of history. His ability to synthesize complex historical processes and his emphasis on the importance of economic and social factors in shaping history have influenced generations of historians. Hobsbawm's books continue to be widely read and studied, and his contributions to the understanding of modern history are highly regarded.

References

• Hobsbawm, E. J. (1962). The Age of Revolution: Europe 1789–1848. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
• Hobsbawm, E. J. (1975). The Age of Capital: 1848–1875. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
• Hobsbawm, E. J. (1987). The Age of Empire: 1875–1914. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

External Links

• Eric Hobsbawm at Encyclopædia Britannica
• Guardian obituary