Lucien Febvre

Lucien Febvre (1878-1956) was a French historian and one of the founders of the Annales School, which emphasized a broader approach to history, focusing on social, economic, and cultural contexts rather than just political events. He believed in using interdisciplinary methods, incorporating geography, sociology, and anthropology to understand the past. Febvre’s work highlighted the importance of mentalities—how people's beliefs and attitudes shape history. His influential ideas helped shift historical research towards a more holistic view, encouraging historians to consider the lives and experiences of ordinary people.