Kristian Erslev


Kristian Sophus August Erslev was a Danish historian. His work involved a variety of subjects, including historiography. Erslev's influence on the Danish academic community was great and he was considered "the master" Danish historian. As editor of the Danish Historisk Tidsskrift he also set the standards for solid, factual historical writing. He looked to other European scientists for inspiration, but never fully solved the problems of objectivity and the influence of "the person behind the pen". He was openly attacked by later generations of Danish historians for his strong belief in "the truth".
Erslev was inspired in his early days by the idea that historians should strive to create "true science". However, in his older days he became disillusioned by his previous ideas.