bmgn - Low Countries Historical Review | Volume 131-4 (2016) | pp. 71-92

Henri Pirenne

Historian and Man of the World

sarah keymeulen 71

Henri Pirenne (1862-1935) is generally recognised as one of the most influential European historians of the late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century. The combination of his scholarly activity with the social mission that he set himself earned him an extraordinarily successful career and a double reputation: at least in Belgium, he was regarded not only as a ‘father of history’, but also as great citizen. Although his influence was unmistakably large, there is no consensus about the existence or the nature of a ‘Pirennian persona’. He combined the ideal collection of skills, values and standards required of historians with very specific personal characteristics. At the same time he was inextricably linked to a certain era and a certain Belgium that died with him. Pirenne therefore, did not so much represent a new type of scientific persona as the prestige of an idealised, long-vanished Belgium and its corresponding academic culture.

Henri Pirenne. Historicus en man van de wereld Henri Pirenne (1862-1935) wordt beschouwd als één van de meest invloedrijke Europese geschiedschrijvers van de laatnegentiende en vroegtwintigste eeuw. Het verband tussen zijn wetenschappelijke activiteit en de maatschappelijke taak die hij voor zichzelf zag weggelegd, leverde hem een uitzonderlijk succesvolle carrière en een dubbele reputatie op. Pirenne staat, althans in België, immers niet alleen geboekstaafd als een ‘vader van de geschiedenis’, maar ook als een groot staatsburger. Hoewel de invloed van Pirenne onmiskenbaar groot is geweest, is er geen consensus over het bestaan of de aard van een ‘Pirenniaanse persona’. Hij combineerde het ideaalpakket van vaardigheden, normen en waarden die historici werden geacht te bezitten met zeer specifieke karaktereigenschappen. Tegelijk was hij onlosmakelijk verknoopt met een zeker tijdsgewricht en een zeker België, dat samen met hem ter ziele ging. Pirenne stond dan ook niet zozeer model voor een nieuw type wetenschappelijke persona als voor het prestige van een geïdealiseerd, verdwenen België en een vervlogen academische cultuur.

Published by Royal Netherlands Historical Society | knhg Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License doi: 10.18352/bmgn-lchr.10265 | www.bmgn-lchr.nl | e-issn 2211-2898 | print issn 0165-0505 scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

Introduction

‘What I ultimately want’, mused Henri Pirenne, then a fresh young university student, in a diary entry of 1882, ‘is not to waste my life in pure erudition like a university professor, but by means of the study of the past to obtain facts, arguments and new insights that I can apply to the study of the present’.1 At first sight this statement is hardly surprising: many students of history begin their study because they want to understand the present by knowing about the past. Nevertheless, in Pirenne’s case it is significant because it gives an early intimation of the sort of scholar Pirenne wanted to be and in the end was, with great success. Pirenne had no ambition to dwell in an academic ivory tower and be satisfied with what, after the First World War, he would call – with a sneer at the German historians – ‘mere specialism’.2 His professional motivations, as well as epistemic, were explicitly social and ideological, or as Bunna Ebels-Hoving put it: ‘it never occurred to him to see the historian as anything but socially complicit’.3 That link between Pirenne’s scholarly activity and the social task, not to say mission, that he set himself earned him an extraordinarily successful career and a double reputation. Pirenne, at least in Belgium, is regarded not only as a ‘father of history’4, but also as great citizen. Certainly in the aftermath of the First World War, Pirenne has spoken very openly about the moral responsibility of scholars and historians in particular.5 That is not surprising: for Pirenne and many of his contemporaries, moral superiority was a conditio sine qua non for scholarly virtue and in no way in contradiction to the positivist primacy of objective fact-based historical scholarship, which was the dominant idea of the time. History education was focussed just as much on producing good citizens as good scholars, and historians were even assessed posthumously on their moral legacy – in this connection necrologies are very illustrative.6

1 Free University of Brussels (further: fub), 4 For the term ‘father of history’, see Herman Paul, University Archives (further: ua), 026pp/01/04/003, ‘Fathers of History: Genealogies of the Historical Notes de cours 1879-1885, 2. Notes prises en 1882 Discipline’, Storia della Storiografia 59-60 (2011) et années suivantes, 23 Novembre [1882]. All 224-230. original (French or Dutch) quotations in text and 5 See for example his famous and influential footnotes have been translated into English by Dr. address on comparative history as the answer to Jill Bradley and the author. the dangers of narrow nationalist historiography, 2 Henri Pirenne, ‘De l’influence allemande sur le Henri Pirenne, ‘De la méthode comparative en mouvement historique contemporain’, Scientia histoire’, in: Ve Congrès international des sciences (1923) 176. historiques (Brussels 1923) 19-23. 3 Bunna Ebels-Hoving, ‘Henri Pirenne (1862-1935)’, 6 On the genre of the necrology, see for example in: A.H. Huussen, E.H. Kossmann and H. Renner Jean-Claude Bonnet, ‘Les morts illustres: Oraison (eds.), Historici van de twintigste eeuw (Utrecht, funèbre, éloge académique, nécrologie’, in: Pierre Antwerp 1981) 33. Nora, Les lieux de mémoire (Paris 1986) 217-241. keymeulen henri pirenne: historian and man of the world 73

7 (1966) 81-129; 81-129; (1966) 10.1111/hith.10717. Paul, ‘What is a Scholarly Persona?: Ten ThesesPaul, on ‘What Ten is a Scholarly Persona?: Virtues, Skills, History and Desires’, Theory and 53 348-371(2014) doi See, the demystification also the of ‘Pirenne phenomenon’ Jan Dhondt by and, (1966) almost (2011): Jan Prevenier fifty Walter by later, years Dhondt, ‘Henri Pirenne: Historien des institutions Italiana Fondazione della urbaines’, Annali iii Administrativa Storia la per n’est pas un historien”: ‘“Ceci Prevenier, Walter Construction and Deconstruction Henri of 3-4 d’Histoire contemporaine belge Pirenne’, Revue (2011) 553-573. 8 Leuven and Leuven , in particular In the first part of his career, roughly between 1885 (the year of In the first part of his career, 8 Far more implicit for Pirenne and his colleagues was (self) was colleagues and his for Pirenne implicit more Far reflection In what follows it will be demonstrated how the sort ofIn what follows it will be demonstrated that scholar on the motives behind the choice of research themes, the interpretation ofinterpretation the of choice behind the motives on the themes, research it is just Nevertheless, of practice and performance facts and the historians. inspiration, and unconscious culturally determined often underlying, such persona of scholarly aims that form the and motivation the historian. That was the case too with Pirenne. As a prominent member of a prominent member As the French- case too with Pirenne. the That was an outraged victim of war – in patriot, a fiery speaking liberal bourgeoisie, ofshort as a child class – these aspects of his times and social his character and practices as an themes research in his ideas, were forcefully present historian. Thanks to an unprecedented wave oflate nineteenth by the Thanks to an unprecedented wave industrialisation, the position ofcentury the new Belgian nation had reached the fifth most biggest trading nation the fourth important economic power in the world, the the most prosperous country in at least for the wealthier classes, and, his first university post) and 1914 (the start of the First World War), Pirenne’s Pirenne’s War), post) and 1914 (the start ofhis first university World the First anything but a and aims were motivation political and moral ideological, his rapidly Quite the opposite – they boosted fame. hindrance to his scholarly post-war, In the second, and social authority. a scholarly rising reputation as a growing tension arose the social upheaval, along with phase of his career, and social goals. between his epistemic aims and his political Pirenne had long represented with self-evident and with great conviction not how, increasing pressure, academic and social recognition came under of it bent with the wind and in the end changing times the without difficulty, some painful cracks. could not avoid ). A terminological alternative is Herman). A terminological alternative 10.1017/S026988970300067X Lorraine and Daston H. Otto Sibum, ‘Introduction: and their Scientific Personae 1-8 16:1-2 (2003) in Context Histories’, Science doi her remark that ‘specific cultural are contexts the of scientific in definingcentral the content persona.’ the of ‘scientific On the concept persona’, the current also research joint see project University, ku Stockholm by the University Personae Groningen, of Scientific Europe Century in Twentieth Encounters in Cultural (spice the scholarly of Paul’s persona: Herman concept The liberal humanist 7 scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

world.9 All over Europe national pride was in its heyday at this time and this was certainly the case in Belgium. The belle époque was a period of unbridled capitalist expansion for the country, with the acquisition of the Congo in 1908 as the crowning achievement.10 With the most liberal constitution and an international cultural appeal, Belgium was the cosmopolitan Mecca of modernity. The liberal industrial bourgeoisie was the leading class in the country. Among the prominent members of this political, economic and cultural elite was a family of textile entrepreneurs from the Walloon industrial city of Verviers and it was into this family that Pirenne was born in 1862.11 Although he had been intended to follow a career as engineer or barrister, once at university the young Pirenne quickly became fascinated by history. At the same time, as he confided in his diary, he wanted emphatically to combine his scholarly activities with the ‘practical, active life’.12 The calling to be a socially involved historian did not come out of the blue: it was a result of the increasing status of scholarly activity on the one hand, and of his upbringing on the other. In the modern, rapidly industrialising society, science was regarded as the driving force of progress. With increasing support from the state, academic institutions and courses began to make themselves more professional ‘intellectual industries’.13 In this process, science grew into an explicitly civil

9 Sophie De Schaepdrijver, De groote oorlog. Het a keynote speaker at the first Colonial Conference koninkrijk België tijdens de Eerste Wereldoorlog in Brussels with a lecture on ‘the formation of (Amsterdam 1997) 11. a colonial mentality in Belgium’: fub, ua, ulb 10 See Gita Deneckere, Les turbulences de la Belle 026pp/01/06/003, Conférences iii, 1913-1920, ‘La Epoque (Brussels 2010) and idem, 1900: Op het formation d’une mentalité coloniale en Belgique’. breukvlak van twee eeuwen (Tielt 2006). Although 11 More information on the Pirenne family the colonisation of the Congo was the subject and their textile imperium in Bryce Lyon, Henri of heated debates, especially among the liberal Pirenne: A Biographical and Intellectual Study bourgeoisie, Pirenne at several occasions (Ghent 1974). defended his country’s colonial policy. At a 12 fub, ua, 026pp/01/04/003: ‘Je caresse toujours faculty meeting in May 1910, he suggested – in l’idée de mêler la science à la vie pratique, active’. his familiar entrepreneurial spirit – that ‘with the 13 Term from Thorsten Nybom, ‘A Rule-governed colonisation of the Congo, an important domain Community of Scholars: The Humboldt Vision in opened itself to new scientific research – research the History of the European University’, in: Peter that could very well be conducted in Ghent.’ See Maassen and Johan P. Olsen (eds.), University Ghent University Archives, Faculté de Philosophie Dynamics and European Integration (Dordrecht et Lettres. Procès-Verbaux des séances, 6a1_003: 2007) 69. On the professionalization of the Séances 1895-1913. During the First World War, historical sciences in Belgium see, amongst he ranted against the German questioning of others, Jo Tollebeek, Fredericq & Zonen. Een the legitimacy of Belgium’s possession of the antropologie van de moderne geschiedwetenschap Congo: Cernex, France, Personal Archives of Yves (Amsterdam 2008); Jo Tollebeek, Tom Verschaffel Pirenne, Journal de Guerre i, Captivité. 1 août and Leonard H.M. Wessels (eds.), De palimpsest. 1914-17 mars 1916, 18 mai 1915. And in December Geschiedschrijving in de Nederlanden, 1500-2000 1920, in the presence of King Albert, Pirenne was (Hilversum 2002). keymeulen henri pirenne: historian and man of the world 75 Whoever 17 For the French historian the French For 15 The objective scientific 18

20 In this way scientific knowledge In this way 19 Cited in Michael Kammen,Cited ‘Personal Identity in: idem, Past In the and the Historian’s Vocation’, Culture American on Perspectives Historical Lane: 8. 1997) (New York On objectivity, the of notion Lorraine see Daston 2007). Galison, (New York Objectivity and Peter On the virtues scientific role of in general, see History A Moral Life: Shapin, TheSteven Scientific 2008). (Chicago Vocation Modern a Late of CathrynSee Carson, ‘Objectivity and the in Context Scientist: Heisenberg rethinks’, Science 243-269.16:1-2 (2003) Probablythe most well-known of example modern, historians professional the using authority objective, of critical method scientific activelyto participate in political was the debate Dreyfus Affair (1894-1906). See, in this respect, Duclert,Vincent scientifique et ‘L’Engagement intellectuel démocratique: de sens l’affaire Le 71-94. 48 (1999) Dreyfus’, Politix

17 18 19 20 This applied not only to the branches of branches only to the applied not This that held science

14 The American historian Carl Becker (1873-1945) even went so (1873-1945) Carl Becker American historian The 16 served as a basis for socio-political action, in the first place for those in in the first place for those served as a basis for socio-political action, of and in authority and policy makers who took advantage this knowledge, some cases also for historians themselves. Gabriël Monod (1844-1912), one of Pirenne’s teachers during his studies teachers of one Gabriël Monod (1844-1912), Pirenne’s true ‘the was the symbiosis of aims moral and patriotic scientific, in Paris, ofessence and contribution the development of history: humanity and civilisation’. culture, which offered scholars interesting possibilities with regard to both regard with possibilities interesting scholars offered which culture, and status. career far as to say that ‘the value of value scientific but moral’. history is not ‘the far as to say that out possibilities for technical use, but just as much to historians whose view whose view to historians but just as much use, for technical out possibilities of history was of for great importance of the past and future country’s their Both the idea that were imbued with and statesmen historians the nation. the point of stimulate to simultaneously history was and teaching writing of morality and a sense knowledge, civil virtues. method, so it was believed, led to a superior form of truth. Only by means of led to a superior form of believed, truth. so it was method, free from an explicit personal standpoint or that is to say research’, ‘objective legitimation on both the historian-as-impartial-judge received judgement, the epistemological and the social level. served science also served civilisation – and not infrequently the primary focus the primary civilisation – and not infrequently served science also served all this display ofthe service to society and to With own nation. on one’s was somewhat paradoxical that the virtue of it was regarded objectivity was state, as the supreme moral guide for the historian. The Bourgeois Citizen in Carol E. Harrison, Citizen The Bourgeois and Sociability, Gender, France: Nineteenth-Century 64-65. (Oxford 1999) Emulation of Uses the OlivierSee l’historien Dumoulin, de social rôle Le that It is no coincidence (Paris 176-187. 2003) Pirennenecrologies of almost unanimously refer three functions these to (scientific, moral, civic) theof historian. in the case of literally Quite even afterthe newspaper article d’Ydewalle Charles by ‘(Pirenne, S.K.)Pirenne’s 1935: death in December in his beautiful pastgently away home in Uccle, surrounded his books and his grandchildren, by the the historians tomorrow of to leaving his grandtask life recounting of as a savant, the of Archives an honest man and a citizen’. et Sciences Lettres des Classe Academy, Royal politiques, personnels, Dossiers membres et décédés,correspondants Pirenne Henri, 11605. Une Annales: des in André Burguière,Cited L’École (Paris 2006) 86. intellectuelle histoire

15 16 14 scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

The growing social status of an academic career was not the only factor in Pirenne’s calling as a committed historian: the circle in which he grew up provided an ideal and fertile ground. His father Lucien-Henri, a major manufacturer in the textile industry, after office hours was active in the progressive-liberal party as councillor for public works and member of a freemason’s lodge. Pirenne was raised with liberal-humanistic values and convictions (the importance of reason, Bildung, tolerance, a critical mind, freedom of opinion and service to the general good, to name but a few), by a devout Catholic mother, which only underlines the importance of tolerance and freedom in the family.21 At the University of Liège where Pirenne began his higher education in 1879, the modernisation of history education had been started recently by his instructors Godefroid Kurth (1847-1916) and Paul Fredericq (1850-1920). Both had studied in Germany, the leading light in the scientific approach, and they had introduced the seminary system (known as the cours pratiques) in their own country.22 Together with the German scientific model the corresponding scientific persona, based on classic liberal principles, appeared in Belgium as well. The modern ‘man of science’ was teacher, civil servant, researcher, Bildungsbürger and pater familias all at the same time. Pirenne was immediately attracted to this emergent academic culture. There was so much new ground to be broken, so many truths to discover, so much social progress to be made – these appealed to both Pirenne’s intellectual appetite and to his liberal entrepreneurial spirit.23 Moreover he became inspired by the enticing, deeply engaged project of modern history as it was so passionately taught by Kurth, his mentor in Liège. In this connection, on the occasion of Pirenne’s appointment to the University of Ghent in 1886, Kurth gave him – this time as a colleague – a last unmistakable message:

Please do not forget when you come to hold the chair in history that you will be not only a representative of science and that you will not just impart scholarly ideas to young people: whether you want to or not, you will find yourself to be

21 On the peaceful co-existence of progressive- du xxve anniversaire de la fondation de son cours liberal and devout Catholic thought in Pirenne’s pratique d’histoire (Liège 1898) 3-149. parental home, see the aforementioned 23 See also François-Olivier Touati, ‘Notes biography on Pirenne by Lyon, Henri Pirenne, Pirenniennes’, Revue Historique 666 (2013) 404: chapter i. ‘The size of the paternal factory, the affluence of 22 Respectively in Liège in 1874 and in Ghent in 1883 his family, the consideration of the masters he (further advanced by Pirenne himself in 1886). frequented, from the start here was a “baron” In Brussels, the seminar system was introduced armed to apprehend life without inhibition, by Leon Vanderkindere in 1877. See Paul socially at least, and one could almost say Fredericq, ‘L’origine et les developpements des entrepreneurial, sensible to the economy, both cours pratiques d’histoire dans l’enseignement to the activity of workers and to profit, able to superieur en Belgique’, in: A Godefroid Kurth, cultivate networks, to frequenting the “great” and professeur à l’Université de Liège, à l’occassion to exercise authority’. keymeulen henri pirenne: historian and man of the world 77

26 24 Kurth was honoured for the praxis scientific he in Belgium.had initiated Because his persona of an example, wasFruin considered while Kurth the praxis. of was only a predecessor [...] Why was it that Kurth was lauded not as an example, and but Religion simply as a predecessor? ideology a crucial part. played After all, Kurth was a distinctly catholic intellectual. Not only did he mainly attract catholic students, he was also for his explicit his liberaltaunted by colleagues writingsapologetic to and his commitment in the emerging movement Christian workers’ Belgium’. That was the result not only of his productivity, the quality the result not only ofThat was his productivity, -Low Countries Countries -Low 25 the bearer of a social mission, the a social bearer of and from the the past, of realms shall words your in the echo present, to across reach where will form they life of and the seeds death. the honour For it is both never the and historical of the danger sciences be and to be able standto in the to field pure of intelligence unconsciously react with lifeand to it. to constantly involved /01/01/005, 1886, 16 September of and his great sociability; it also had an ideological reason. his work While Kurth and Fredericq had been there at the birth of and modern Belgian While Kurth of the ‘father’ Pirenne who surpassed them and became the it was history, discipline. Kurth’s influence on the formation of Pirenne’s scientific persona, at least scientific of influence on the formation Pirenne’s Kurth’s in the sense of of the social mission of the profession must not be historian, in one former teacher Nevertheless Pirenne differed from his underestimated. but a the motor ofessential point: to him Creator, not a Divine history was on the furtherance diligence works who with never-ending creative mankind, This pluralistic, the cultural patrimony. the intellect and of the economy, an impetus to his career. humanistic vision was Far more than the Catholic apologist Kurth or the Protestant, pro-Flemish or the Protestant, more than the Catholic apologist Kurth Far persona that Pirenne represented the neutral scientific liberal Fredericq, part ofwas culture (and that in Belgium the modern academic moreover, unity). landscape that longed for fused seamlessly with a divided political Pirenne represented his own political, just like his teachers, Naturally, ideological and gender class – that of that had the white male liberal bourgeoisie professional impartiality and moral superiority its made reasonableness, pp , 026 , ua fub Kurth Pirenne. to See, in this respect, ‘Pirenne Jo Tollebeek, and Historiographical Fredericq: Ambitions around Tijdschrift Nieuwste 1900’, Belgisch voor 3-4 (2011) 383-409; Herman Geschiedenis RobertPaul, ‘Voorbeeld en voorganger. enFruin Godefroid Kurth als vaders van de bmgn Geschiedwetenschap’, (2011) 30-53. 126 Review Historical Paul,See ‘Voorbeeld en voorganger’, 30-53: ‘Unlike Fruin, Kurth was honoured not as an [...] but as a predecessor. follow, to example While was Fruin praised for persona, his scientific The bridge builder, ‘man and the of academic world’ entrepreneur builder, The bridge 24 25 26 scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

ethos, and modern science its intellectual playing-field. ‘With the pathos of reasonable men who were above the interests and class, (they, S.K.) saw themselves as impartial spokesmen of the general interest’, was the way in which Cathryn Carson described the persona of the late nineteenth-century (German) scholars. Pirenne too, belonged to these ‘public-minded, reasonable men, standing above interests and classes’.27 Of all the virtues with which Pirenne was associated both during his lifetime and posthumously, his talents for reasonableness, impartiality, tolerance and consensus are by far the most famous.28 In the biography Francois-Louis Ganshof (1895-1980), one of Pirenne’s most renowned pupils, these also form a central point:

The great sense of justice that Pirenne showed in the exercise of his functions and his judgements should be fully emphasised here. [...] The concern for being honest in life is yet another facet of the virtue that impelled him to such rigorous objectivity in his academic work. During his opening speech at the 5th International Conference of Historical Scholarship, he told the historian who was bound by objectivity ‘to suppress and transcend his most precious prejudices, his most stubborn convictions and his most natural and respectable

27 Carson, ‘Objectivity and the Scientist’, 245. Journal de Guerre de Paul Fredericq, Cahier 28 Pirenne’s remarkable talent for ‘fine diplomacy’ 26, f. 212. If Fredericq – at the same time one however, was also criticised at times. In his of the key supporters of Pirenne’s professional diary on several occasions fellow-historian Paul career – politely confided his criticism of Fredericq explicitly condemned Pirenne’s art of Pirenne’s personality to his diary, other fellow- compromising. In February 1914 he lamented: academics were less tactful. Such was the case ‘Oh that turning and avoiding! [...] (Pirenne’s with his old study friend from Liège, Maurice wife, S.K.) is from Ghent, she’s straightforward, Wilmotte, an influential professor of Roman much more than Pirenne, who at all times wants Philology and a militant Walloon. ‘(M. Pirenne, to safeguard his influence and his popularity, S.K.)’, he subtly remarked on the occasion of the sometimes even by cutting capers’. In January Pirenne manifestation in 1912, ‘has deployed an 1916, while in exile together in the city of Jena, intelligent and unperturbed coquetry to avoid Fredericq criticised Pirenne for being too all compromise and fundamental commitment amicable with German officers while reproaching which, in a country where the political combat them behind their back: ‘He always tries to is hand-to-hand, could alienate him from please everyone’. That Pirenne was allowed sympathies he thought he might be needing.’ to exchange letters with colleagues while his Manifestation en l’honneur de M. le professeur correspondence was strictly limited to his close Henri Pirenne. Bruxelles, 12 mai 1912 (Mons 1912) family, made Fredericq wonder ‘how the sacred 172. Although these observations, at least Pirenne had maneuvered to be able to write to partially, resulted from personal frustration and (Eugène, S.K.) Hubert? He’s an intriguer and an professional envy, it is a fact that in a country arriviste.’ University Archives Ghent, respectively as ideologically polarised as Belgium Pirenne’s Hs 3704, Journal de Paul Fredericq, Cahier 45, striking social abilities and talent for compromise f. 139-141; Ibid., Cahier 73, f. 83 and Hs 3708, were crucial for his career and reputation. keymeulen henri pirenne: historian and man of the world 79

31

29 30 See the famous anecdote recounted by Marc Marc by theSee famous recounted anecdote in Bloch his trip of Stockholm with Pirenne to When1928. Pirenne Bloch what he would asked visit first, to like Pirenne replied that he wanted startto hall. with the built newly Noticing town Bloch’s surprise, he that he explained was a historian, an archaeologist, not and therefore l’histoire life. pour Bloch, Marc he loved Apologie in cited 13, also (Paris 1959) d’historien métier ou n’est pas un historien’, 555. ‘Ceci Prevenier, 31 34 (1959) col. (1959) feelings.’ Pirenne formulated words speaking a rule these By only not for intellectual work, but a true also rule for life, a moral prescription. Thus the ideal historian was a builder of bridges, just as Pirenne was – just as Pirenne was a builder of was Thus the ideal historian bridges, the criticism whole is not story.Source [...] The historical construction, or if wish,you the historical synthesis of demands qualities the that are not concern this activity – clarity mind, of the capacity distinguish between to the essential and the incidental, understand the skill to the links between phenomena, the aptitude distance one’s to from self the interpret present in order the to past and, the political of life and yet, that one social can a knowledge also only a certainacquire by familiarity life, with present day imagination, through the and finally prejudices discretion of that springs a psychological absence from a culture that is characteristicnuanced what I, of in the best and broadest of sense the word, call would the man the of world. A good historian then, also had to be a ‘man of the world’, a man with of the world’, ‘man also had to be a good historian then, A was as sensible of a man who values, cosmopolitan flair and enlightened as ofcontemporary politics and the social system the niceties of a past, the a man knowledge with imagination, man who dared to combine professional when in a strange city, the type ofwho loved the full life – in short, man who, town hall than yet another cathedral. would rather go and see the brand new Modern historical scholarship demanded a neutral impartial standpoint a neutral impartial demanded scholarship Modern historical nest of conflicting the various of but in the hornets’ every historian, essential. absolutely Belgium it was was and ideologies that communities of scientific debate – free but objective divided, prejudice or Partisanship the practice In other words, – had the capacity to unite. ideological interests on public but also ofon its own rightness, revolved not only scholarship society and the nation. interest – that of scholarship, could bring about consensus who people and opinions, someone who linked who increased insight and at all times guarded and mutual understanding, task, in order to fulfil this significant Pirenne, For the greater public interest. to possess the right qualities: historians were supposed (1923) 174. (1923) 671-723. For an in-depth Ganshof’s671-723. of analysis motivations for writing this article, Henning see Louis François a Method: of Topography Trüper, History of 2008) (Florence Writing the and Ganshof 90 ff. HenriPirenne, ‘De l’influence allemande sur le mouvement historique Scientia contemporain’, François-Louis ‘Pirenne Ganshof, (Henri)’, in: xxx Belgique de nationale Biographie 30 29 scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

As proof of Pirenne’s great passion for the ‘practical, active life’ – and in addition to his impressive oeuvre – an equally impressive list could be made of initiatives and memberships that can be called ‘academic entrepreneurship’ because they had the aim of developing the scholarly industry in the broadest sense of the word. Pirenne played a leading role in the founding and expansion of countless associations, institutions, councils and societies. He set up national and international cooperative relations, was at the root of great educational reforms and supported the interests of libraries and archives. As a gifted speaker at public lectures, as an authoritative voice in public debate and as guardian of the historic patrimony of his city he was also active in popularising scholarship – because that too, was scholarship in the service of the public interest.32

The national historian

However, the professional project with the greatest social impact and the reason for the unprecedented rise in his career, of course, was Pirenne’s role as the national historian of Belgium. When he began his career as a young medievalist in 1885, the nation was still largely legitimated in the historical field by romantic tales. Thus Pirenne did not hesitate when, about the turn of the century, Karl Lamprecht (1856-1915) offered him the chance to write a new history of Belgium for his series Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten.33 It had long been a cherished plan of Pirenne to examine the origins of what was later to become Belgium, as can be seen from an entry in his diary from 1888: ‘I must make note here of my project to write a history of the Low Countries. What will come of that? Perhaps it will be forgotten before I read these lines again’.34 The plan was not forgotten, even though it would be more than ten more years before the Histoire de Belgique was first published. Pirenne’s magnum opus would eventually appear in seven volumes spread over a period of thirty-three years (1899-1932). During that process a remarkable symbioses emerged between the ambitious Pirenne and the young nation of Belgium, and the initial scholarly project was complemented with an emphatic social and political component. The growing tension on various grounds – ideological (Catholics versus Liberals), socio-economic (socialists versus conservative economic powers) and between communities (Flemish versus Walloon) – demanded

32 See, with respect to the popularisation of science, was much better suited for the job’. See the also the zeal of Pirenne’s colleague in Ghent Paul postcard of Fredericq to Pirenne at fub, ua, Fredericq: Tollebeek, Fredericq & Zonen. 026pp/01/03/036, Correspondance relative aux 33 In fact Lamprecht asked Fredericq first, who ti-ii de Histoire de Belgique. passed the assignment to Pirenne because ‘he 34 fub, ua, 026pp/01/04/003. keymeulen henri pirenne: historian and man of the world 81

37 40 got tired and got , where he found , who as head of , state Moreover, in 1920 his in 1920 his Moreover, 39 , Jacques up Pirenne a very took that made an indefatigable him dinner guest, des xv especially at the Cercle brilliant partners in a Paul Hymans and a Maurice [...] And when the xv Duvivier. de returned Taverne back home, on to he moved and Léo Gérard Max Cornil with Leon Waterloo, (the secetary the of king, S.K.), and spent a part of talkingthe [...]’. night onwards, as the secretary 1945 From of iii Leopold attitude while defendingcombative the king question.during the royal As for his a reward an hereditary he received later loyalty, noble title. Pirenne was invited to join the elite invited to join the elite Pirenne was 38 40

35 was also the reason for an important personal Histoire de Belgique also the reason for an important personal was In Pirenne’s case however, the relation with the king went further relation with the king went further the case however, In Pirenne’s 36 The had the final say in the state university. Around the turn of the century the the state university. had the final say in still close. and the state university was the monarchy connection between The approbation of form of seen as the highest was the king scholarly The strong focus of on the nation and the the academic culture prestige. role in the played an important Trüper, according to Henning monarchy, establishment of the professorial persona in the first half of the twentieth century. rapprochement between Pirenne and King Albert i Pirenne and King between rapprochement For his youngest son Robert, the event illustrated that ‘there is no honour is no honour ‘there the event illustrated that his youngest son Robert, For that has not been bestowed on him’. Histoire de Belgique Histoire Pirenne’s of defence a stronger narrative. the national a also and thereby past a new common the country it gave that: provided renown and Pirenne national immediately brought The work new identity. as one of him a role gave of the first public intellectuals His lectures Belgium. of the boundaries spread far beyond his readers events, became crowded ‘Les influential article the fact that his community – witness the academic reprinted by the socialist was capitalisme’ sociale du périodes de l’histoire Librairie du Peuple. than a simple exchange ofthan a simple exchange of telegrams on the occasion important life events Albert invited Pirenne to informal King or professional achievements. a mixture of pride With by the sea or intimate dinners at the palace. walks in 1919 about one ofand amazement Pirenne wrote to his mother these no-one there was else’. dinner, an extremely intimate ‘It was meetings: son Jacques was appointed history tutor to the young Prince Leopold. son Jacques was , where sensitive matters of group Cercle des xv, state were discussed to the accompaniment of a glass of good Burgundy. The Pirennes became the purveyors to the royal household of royal The Pirennes became the purveyors to the scientific On two unity and the monarchy. knowledge that helped to support national ., Lettres de famille., Lettres 31 December 1908-1929, Waterloo, Belgium. Personal Archives of of Belgium. Archives Personal Waterloo, Lemmers-Pirenne,Françoise Henri Pirenne. de familleLettres 1919. December 30 1908-1929, Ibid 1919. JacquesSee Pirenne, ‘Henri Pirenne. Conférence Flambeau Le le 24faite 1936’, à Bruxelles novembre ‘Speaking with fantasy, uncontrolled, freely, (1936): was for him one pleasures. the greatest of He found a comfort in it, that he needed and a joy Les périodes de l’histoire sociale du sociale l’histoire de Henri Pirenne, périodes Les (Brussels 1922). capitalisme , 231. a Method of Topography Trüper,

38 39 35 36 37 scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

 Pirenne in his student uniform in Leipzig, 1885. Université libre de Bruxelles, 026PP/01/04/003, Notes de cours, 1879-1885. keymeulen henri pirenne: historian and man of the world 83

43 /6 (4596), 1892-1899 [old [old 1892-1899 /6 (4596), In a preparatory the introduction to note the Belgique fourthto de Histoire of volume remarked: ‘If Pirenne(1911), explicitly quite in having rejoice for methere to is one motive undertaken this history, it is the general impartiality’. my of assessment Archives Générales Manuscrits Divers, du Royaume, Papiers Henri Pirenne, 4457. Some anticlerical, think I’m others think I’m too favourable for the Church. that’s Now enough!’ Brussels, National Divers’, Archives, ‘Manuscrits Henri Pirenne, br inventory]. The the end marked letter their of correspondence.

45 arose from both the Flemish and Walloon Walloon Flemish and arose from both the In 1920 too, he came close to a governmental came close to a governmental he In 1920 too, 41

42 Nevertheless, he did not yet consider re-evaluating his role as Nevertheless, 45 In an attempt to preserve his moral integrity, Pirenne emphasised ever Pirenne emphasised his moral integrity, In an attempt to preserve The high degree of that came to Pirenne as national social recognition 44 historian has contributed greatly to his somewhat mythical reputation. greatly to his somewhat mythical historian has contributed post: he was asked to agree to have his name on the list of the Parti de of de his name on the list asked to agree to have post: he was Parti the him taking up a as rector prohibited but his function National, Renaissance political mandate. occasions Pirenne considered an even more active (or more visible) political political visible) (or more more active an even considered Pirenne occasions If he of the elections role. Liberals, for the in a defeat not resulted 1912 had to become a minister in order from the professorship withdrawn would have ofin a party unity. national The First World War brought unprecedented challenges to historians. On to historians. challenges brought unprecedented War World The First of scarcely aware was as many Europeans, the eve of Pirenne, the outbreak, certainly declaration of The brutal the threat ofwar came as a shock, conflict. historians also seemed to defend when it appeared that renowned German who and many others, Arnheim (1866-1922) Fritz Karl Lamprecht, the war. national historian on the grounds of this limited dissent – for this the impact of needed. was war a world more strongly the impartiality with which he studied and reported the history more strongly the impartiality with which of Belgium. Nevertheless, it also lay at the root of between his scientific the first conflict Nevertheless, was not everyone all, After and social motivation. aims and his political history served the public vision of his country’s convinced that Pirenne’s incidental annoyance, and to Pirenne’s War World the First Even before weal. criticisms of the Histoire de Belgique sides. See above, note 8. note above, See theSee argument between Pirenne and the historian Brentano Funck Frantz French (a Chartist, specialised in the Ancien Régime 1899, March and On the history 13 1302). of a fury: in mePirenne that tell I lack wrote ‘You impartiality! The Flamingants in their turn Francophone sympathies.reproach have me to Waterloo, Belgium, Personal Archives of of Belgium, Archives Personal Waterloo, Lemmers-Pirenne,Françoise Journal Pierre of Pirenne, 3 June 1912. Yves of Archives France, Personal Cernex, Pirenne, Mme Henri Pirenne. fils à son Lettres Jacques Pirenne 1921. 1908-1938, The victim war of

44 42 43 41 scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

until shortly before had been friends and even scientific examples, were suddenly dangerous pan-Germans with imperial ambitions on Belgium. Under occupation, academic life came to an abrupt halt. The universities remained closed, teaching and meetings could only take place clandestinely. Due to his opposition to the reopening in Flemish of the German occupied university, in 1916 Pirenne, along with Fredericq, was deported to Germany where he spent two and a half years in exile. In a war diary and in separate ‘Reflexions d’un solitaire’ he testified to the radical ideological transformation he underwent.46 On his return to Belgium Pirenne was hailed as the symbol of intellectual and moral resistance to the German aggressor. To an even greater extent than before the war, he took on the role of public intellectual and used that position to challenge the causes of the war and the aberrations of the German scholars. Asking himself if European historians had not failed just as much as political leaders and if they could not have done more to avert the First World War, he decided: ‘I have come to believe that we must change our historical methods a great deal. In my opinion, they seem to be too mechanical, too far removed from their real subject – life.’47 Pirenne’s war experiences, and more specifically his outrage at the German scholars’ support of the war, had not led him to abandon his pre-1914 view that social involvement was an essential part of historical scholarship, but in fact had even strengthened it. More than ever scholarship had to be in service of the ‘public interest’, even if this was now more emphatically defined as

46 For more information on Pirenne’s resistance 2010) 404-425; Raoul Van Caenegem et al., and captivity, see Lyon, Henri Pirenne, 197-276. For Herdenkingsplechtigheid Henri Pirenne. Bij de 100e Pirenne’s personal reflections on his war time verjaardag van zijn geboorte (Ghent 1963); Sophie experience, see Bryce and Mary Lyon (eds.), The De Schaepdrijver, ‘“That Theory of Races”: Journal de Guerre of Henri Pirenne (Amsterdam Henri Pirenne on the Unfinished Business of the 1976); Bryce and Mary Lyon (eds.), ‘Réflexions Great War’, Belgisch Tijdschrift voor Nieuwste d’un solitaire’ by Henri Pirenne (Brussels 1995); Geschiedenis 3-4 (2011) 473-506; Geneviève Sarah Keymeulen and Jo Tollebeek, Henri Pirenne, Warland, ‘L’Histoire de l’Europe d’Henri Pirenne: Historian: A Life in Pictures (Leuven 2011) 43-56. Genèse de l’oeuvre et représentation en mirroir On Pirenne’s post-war methodological revision, de l’Allemagne et de la Belgique’, Textyles: Une see Cinzio Violante, La fina della ‘grande Illusion’: Europe en miniature? 24 (2004) 38-51; Bryce Lyon, Uno storico europeo tra guerra e dopoguerra, Henri ‘The War of 1914 and Henri Pirenne’s Revision Pirenne (1914-1923): Per una rilettura della Histoire of his Methodology’, in: Jo Tollebeek, Georgi de l’Europe (Bologna 1997); Peter Schöttler, Verbeeck and Tom Verschaffel (eds.), De lectuur ‘After the Deluge: The Impact of the Two World van het verleden. Opstellen over de geschiedenis van Wars on the Historical Work of Henri Pirenne de geschiedschrijving aangeboden aan Reginald De and Marc Bloch’, in: Stefan Berger and Carl Schryver (Leuven 1998) 507-516. Lorenz (eds.), Nationalizing the Past: Historians 47 Pirenne in Reflexions d’un solitaire, quoted in Ebels- as Nation Builders in Modern Europe (Basingstoke Hoving, ‘Henri Pirenne’, 33. keymeulen henri pirenne: historian and man of the world 85 Together Together 50 With a great deal of a With 48

Moreover, Pirenne’s Pirenne’s Moreover, 49 51 was based. Now he argued that Now based. was moral truth: the ‘triumph the humanity idea of of the race’. idea of over ‘That Theory De Schaepdrijver, See 537; Races’, of ‘Henri Schöttler, 511; Peter ‘The 1914’, of War Lyon, de l’après-guerrePirenne face à l’Allemagne ou du comparatisme en histoire’,la (re)naissance in: La JaumainSerge totale: et al. (eds.), guerre Une (Brussels mondiale Guerre Première la dans Belgique ‘grande della 2005) Violante, fina La 507-517; ’. illusione , 293: a Method of Topography Trüper, also See ‘Since Belgian century, scholarship 19th the late a mediating role. itself to had [...] Belgian assigned and Belgian to, historyhistorians obliged were the pursuit a Franco-German of by, was marked syncretism, in Pirenne’s words. Pirenne’s bitter that – his conclusion this notion farewell to “unlearn from to one Germany” was obliged – was relinquished after years’ only a few (under from pressure the American Historical Association, amongst others, S.K.). 50 51 Much ink has been spilled on Pirenne’s treatment of Germany. In treatment of Germany. on Pirenne’s ink has been spilled Much (Brussels 2008) 27-63: ‘The (Brussels 2008) e siècle 27-63: fact Pirenne did not so much reject the German historical method as the reject the German historical method as so much fact Pirenne did not – that of that German historians had taken recently blameworthy direction an and essentialist vision ofabhorrent narrow nationalistic history. from time immemorial Belgium was more attracted to the superior Western to the superior more attracted from time immemorial Belgium was culture than the Eastern (German) culture. (French) with a moral judgement and a logistical boycott (the exclusion of and a logistical boycott (the exclusion with a moral judgement German Pirenne embarked on a scientific revision conferences), historians from history Beforeof 1914 he had consistently presented of some his own pre-war works. Belgium of as the junction was the German and Roman influences – this his Histoire de Belgique central idea on which the progress ofthe progress of the whole of concern only the and not humanity narrow to his efforts and history for comparative plea Pirenne’s interests. national accorded after the war collaboration international academic bring about S.K.) (that would be, history ‘a scientific, increasingly for with this striving more humane’. impartial and increasingly increasingly censure he contrasted this to the immorality of the German historians: ‘(The immorality of contrasted this to the censure he the German historians: S.K.) German historians, become simple specialists, have it, without realising These historians related to knowledge or polemics. devoted only to problems history.’ voluntarily placed themselves outside have resolute rejection of all that hinted at nationalism and racial theories caused Henri Pirenne, ‘De en la méthode comparative histoire, d’ouverture discours du cinquième historiques’, international Sciences des Congrès in: Guillaume and François-Louis Marez Des du cinquième (eds.),Ganshof Compte-rendu historiques Sciences des international Congrès 13. (Brussels 1923) Henri Pirenne, ‘De l’influence allemande’, 176 Warland, Geneviève also 2). See note also (see de la “métahistoire” nationale en et mise ‘Avatars de larécit Grande de sur Henri mire Guerre: Point et Ernest (1842-1922)’, Lavisse Pirenne (1862-1935) in: Annamaria Laserra, and Marc Leclercq Nicole etQuaghebeur antimémoires (eds.), Mémoires xx au littéraires victory against the of Allies a nationalist Germany the race and idea of in which national tried genius replace the humanity, idea of to represented for Pirenne much more than a military victory. It incarnated the victory truth scientific of and

49 48 scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

him to set about a semantic revision of the pre-war volumes of the Histoire de Belgique. Comparative research with the editions published after 1918 showed that he systematically rewrote every passage in which the idea of ‘race’ appeared.52 With his plea for comparativism and his engagement with international cooperation, Pirenne chose a radical European project.53 In his post-war work (in particular his influential Mahomet et Charlemagne, published posthumously in 1937 but in preparation since 1922) he also increasingly looked beyond the frontiers of his own country, to eastern Europe and the Mediterranean areas. Nevertheless, more than other European historians he remained bound to his role of national historian. Between 1914 and the completion of his magnum opus in 1932 another three volumes of the Histoire de Belgique appeared. In the atmosphere of exalted patriotism after the war, Pirenne more than ever was regarded as a national icon. In 1921 he was honoured by King Albert and the Ligue Nationale du Souvenir as ‘one of the few people who truly personifies the national ideal’. He was sent abroad to speak about the origins and importance of the nation state now internationally known as ‘poor little Belgium’, and in countless national and international lectures he refuted the claims of the German and ‘Greater Netherlands’ historians that Belgium was an ‘artificial nation’.54 Pirenne’s treatment of the narrow nationalistic German historiography was in no way a hindrance to his continual (and even exalted) engagement as national historian after the war. Was not Belgium the prototype of the cosmopolitan, tolerant, freedom-loving and peace-loving Europe of the future?

The last Belgian

Pirenne’s ambiguous attitude after the First World War – hesitating between scholarly revenge and the worthy pursuit of objectivism, between growing internationalism and continuing patriotic pride – displayed the same mental desperation felt by so many intellectuals. Up to the First World War it was rare that the compatibility of professional and patriotic engagement was questioned in the community of scholars of history. The experiences of the War had mercilessly exposed the contradictions of academic research in the service of the nation.55 In the wake of this evolution criticism arose – from

52 Schöttler, ‘Henri Pirenne face à l’Allemagne de ‘Historiens d’Europe, historiens de l’Europe’ l’après-guerre’, 514-515. (forthcoming). 53 Marc Boone and Sarah Keymeulen, ‘“Personne 54 Tollebeek and Keymeulen, Henri Pirenne, ne songe à l’Europe, sauf quelques utopistes Historian, 64. sans voix et sans force”: Henri Pirenne (1864- 55 See also Christophe Prochasson and Anne 1935) et l’histoire de l’Europe’, Actes du Colloque Rasmussen, Au nom de la patrie: Les intellectuels et la première guerre mondiale (1910-1919) (Paris 1996). keymeulen henri pirenne: historian and man of the world 87

59 Pirenne was blamed for nationalistic Pirenne was Nevertheless, the most important advocate for and the first also the Ghent of chancellor University made Flemish, was Vermeylen, August internationalist,a convinced as his famous slogan Europeans’ be Flemings become want to to ‘We On this subject, and more specifically on the efforts the French-speaking of populations in Flanders maintain in the for to French a place Flemish public realm, J. David see Hensley, and The Promotion in Flanders: French for Fighting in Flanders, Rights Language French of Defence 1880-1975 (Unpublished dissertation State Penn University 2013). 57

58 59 Moreover, in the post-war readjustments of readjustments in the post-war the Moreover, 56 As rector of between 1919 and 1921 the university 58 To Pirenne, the Belgian nationalism of the accused was he was Pirenne, which To Pirenne’s defence of his view of Belgian history automatically impliedPirenne’s The Belgian project to which Pirenne, as the principal representative representative as the principal Pirenne, The Belgian project to which finalism: it was a recurring criticism that he presented was a recurring criticism that he as a Belgian history finalism: it of the independence process in which must be regarded as the ultimate 1830 achievement. of Ghent University and a plea for national ‘Dutchifying’ opposition to the (and linguistic) unity. (and in a certain sense even as the initiator), had bound his identity – Belgium bound his identity had the initiator), sense even as (and in a certain for a peaceful, and as a training ground cultural mix as a cosmopolitan At the increasingly undermined. – was and eminent civilisation progressive politics in both United States rapidly gained ground international level the after 1918. and scholarship academic circles and beyond – of and beyond circles academic for himself had built role Pirenne the as service of historian in the interest’. public ‘national international playing fields of power the over-ambitious Belgium was quickly fields ofinternational playing was quickly Belgium power the over-ambitious striving for autonomy its own borders the increased Within put in its place. idea the roots of movements attacked Pirenne’s ofWalloons the Flemish and ‘Belgian civilisation’. of a historic joint Pirenne managed, not without difficulty, to hold the tendencies in check. In the check. the tendencies in to hold not without difficulty, Pirenne managed, became ever more ‘Flemish-isation’ early 1920s the demands for the (partial) strongly: the loss of Pirenne reacted as the principal working French vociferous. destroy the leading language would lead to great cultural impoverishment, to all, Above role of university and greatly reduce the number of the students. the symbol of Flemish was Pirenne the demand for making Ghent University a the beginning Flemish nationalism that would mean radical and short-sighted of of the end the united Belgium he had documented in his Histoire de that Belgique. very antithesis of the abhorred narrow nationalism that had manifested itself in with partly due to the association Germany and of Flemish nationalism, which could be regarded as an off-shoot. War, World activism in the First It was, under also pressure unsymbolically, not that historiansfrom the of the States United onwards (and from 1926 powers’, ‘central under Pirenne’safter lead) exclusion of years participate to allowed againwere in historical and organisations for internationalcongresses cooperation.scientific On Pirenne’s role in the Germanisolating historians from the amongst see international community, scientific , 293-296. Pirenne Henri others Lyon, Nationale verleden. en MarnixSee Beyen, Oorlog 1938-1947 Nederland, en in België geschiedenis (Amsterdam 396. 2002) 56 57 scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

In Pirenne’s fight to maintain Belgian unity, professional, political and strongly personal motives and aims became increasingly intertwined – particularly after his son Jacques Pirenne became the leading figure in the anti-Flemish opposition movement in the interbellum period. As a reaction to the proposal made by Minister Nolf in 1923 for a dual language system at the university, he set up the Ligue Nationale pour la défense de l’Université de Gand et la liberté des langues.60 In demonstrations, pamphlets and a formal appeal to the king that Henri Pirenne handed to the monarch personally, the organisation pointed out the importance of Ghent University for building the Belgian nation. After all, had not the historical research carried out at that university contributed considerably to the awareness of national unity among the people?61 It was a bitter pill for Pirenne that even the reference to his own scholarly prestige and to his dedication to the nation could not change the minds of the politicians.62 With the publication of a series of preparatory studies for his influential Mahomet et Charlemagne during the 1920s Pirenne continued to confirm his international scholarly reputation.63 In his own country however,

illustrates. Ironically, the quote was modelled the king on 10 July 1923: ‘M. Henri Pirenne has said directly after Pirenne’s cosmopolitan vision of to me that he was called to the Palace by M. the Belgium. See Daniel Laqua, The Age Count d’Arschot who told him that M. Nolf had of Internationalism and Belgium, 1880-1930: complained about M. Jacques Pirenne’s activity as Peace, Progress and Prestige (Manchester, secretary of the National League for the Defence New York 2013) 197. of Ghent University, of which the politics are 60 On the struggle for making Ghent University opposed to those of the Government in this Flemish, see, among other Maria De Waele, matter. He asked me, in a personal capacity, ‘De strijd om de citadel. Frankrijk en de for my advice. I excused myself, given the fact vernederlandsing van de Gentse universiteit, that I naturally don’t know the exact scope 1918-1930’, Belgisch Tijdschrift voor Nieuwste of the intervention, nor by the Government, Geschiedenis 32:1-2 (2002) 153-193; Anne-Marie nor by the Chief of the Royal Cabinet. I did say Simon-Vandermeersch and Elienne Langendries, however, that it was perhaps regrettable that M. ‘De vernederlandsing van de Gentse universiteit’, Jacques Pirenne had not assured himself, before in: Guy Leemans et al. (eds.), Vlamingen komt in occupying himself so actively in the League, if massa. De Vlaamse beweging als massabeweging there was no incompatibility with his functions (Gent 1999) 121-146. as Professor of Prince Leopold’. Archives of the 61 Archives of the Royal Palace, Cabinet of King Royal Palace, Archives of Max Leo Gerard, 35/2/a Albert, 110, Dossier 953, 23 January 1923: ‘The (009-010). French-speaking University of Ghent has more 63 Mahomet et Charlemagne would eventually be than ever become the living symbol of national published posthumously (Brussels 1937), and is unity.’ considered up to the present as one of the most 62 That the obvious engagement of the Pirenne influential works on the influence of Islam on family against making the university Flemish (Western) European history. On the genesis and hindered their relationship with the Court is also experiences of the Pirenne thesis, an exhibition illustrated by a report from Max Leo Gérard to was organised in 2009 by Ghent University in keymeulen henri pirenne: historian and man of the world 89 ., 234. For a detailed faculty these of analysis minutes authority of and the loss Pirenne of and some Trüper, speaking colleagues, see his French of ff. , 234 a Method of Topography Ibid Les périodes de l’histoire sociale du sociale l’histoire de périodes influential Les was published which simultaneously capitalisme in 1914. andin English in French

The secret ballot was taken and resulted The secret ballot was

65 65 64 64 leader and guide of leader and Belgian historiography incontournable To put it briefly, the conflict concerned the political agenda the conflict concerned of the vote put it briefly, To . whereby a French-speaking candidate from the Pirenne group stood against a candidate from the Pirenne group stood whereby a French-speaking Referring to the old university camp. Vermeylen the Flemish candidate from tradition of importance of open debate and the unanimity – especially on – Pirenne opposed a secret centenary the eve ofthe celebration of Belgium’s He hoped that in an open vote his authority would be sufficient to ballot. only some of those present applauded after However, suppress the dissidents. ‘his great defeat – an unprecedented humiliation for Pirenne and his speech Trüper. according to in the faculty’, the growing contestation of contestation the growing at his away gnawed historian national his role as Thus the authority. ofat the end of became somewhat his career icon of a superseded a Belgium of symbolic illustration An extremely of this loss existed. that no longer Committee ofreport ofcan be found in the authority 22 October the Faculty of – the Flemish-isation to be chosen was when a new dean Ghent 1929, Up to become politically unavoidable. had already by that time, University, carried advocate of the eternal had always that moment Pirenne, compromise, Now political reality word. had the final and always the greatest weight Vermeylen August and the new head ofcaught up with him the university, simply set him aside. (1872-1945), What can we learn from this biographical sketch with respect to the scholarly with respect to the scholarly sketch What can we learn from this biographical more than his to the fact that, his success due persona ofWas Pirenne? Was he the model he personified the ideal-typical scientist? contemporaries, for a new type of persona? Or is the persona concept not really useful scholarly both admired and opposed? as Pirenne who was for an icon such in the selection of the Flemish candidate. Shortly after, the ‘Dutchifying’ was was ‘Dutchifying’ the after, Shortly in the selection of the Flemish candidate. never to Pirenne requested retirement as emeritus and moved to Ukkel, a fact. of in consideration 1935, When Pirenne died in the political return to Ghent. a It was funeral. the government decided not to organise a state sensitiveness, that In as national historian. engagement final symbolic rejection of Pirenne’s died with him. ‘Belgium’ sense the old idea of (Paris 1910), a work of wide influence in (Paris wide of influence a work 1910), collaboration with the Free Universitycollaboration with the Free Brussels. of www. website the corresponding also See henripirenne.be the field urban of history, and with the equally Even before the First World War Pirenne enjoyed Pirenne enjoyed War before the FirstEven World international reputation,a high mainly because des démocraties anciennes his synthesisof on Les Pays-Bas Conclusion scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

 Caricature created by Henri Lemaire, published in L’Horizon Bruxelles on 2 November 1935 in response to Pirenne’s death. Université libre de Bruxelles, 026PP/01/07/006, Hommages à Henri Pirenne, Tome II, Presse. keymeulen henri pirenne: historian and man of the world 91 Beyen even 68 69

(Ghent 2004), published on 67 Bryce Lyon, Paul MeyvaertBryce Lyon, and Robert Lopez, Speculum Fernand of ‘Memoires Vercauteren’, (1980) 645-650. 55:3 opinion (the latter of which is not theopinion case is not which of (the latter for Pirenne), and often auxiliary of use makes as diplomatics such sciences and paleography. Menswetenschapppen. de en Froeyman, Clio Anton Historische Gentse de en Stadt” “die Weber’s Max School http://www.ethesis.net/clio/clio_inhoud.htm.

70 Pirenne’s students went in all directions, geographically, geographically, in all directions, students went Pirenne’s 66

70 , 387. Does all this mean that Pirenne presented a new sort ofDoes all this mean that Pirenne presented scholarly According to Marnix Beyen, on the contrary the Belgian historians Beyen, According to Marnix Bryce Lyon, author of Pirenne’s biography published in 1974, biography published in 1974, of author Pirenne’s Bryce Lyon, An interesting debate in this regard is the question whether or not or not whether is the question this regard debate in An interesting persona that was emulated even posthumously? Although the influence emulated even posthumously? persona that was of on contemporaries and immediate students of particularly Pirenne, the there is no consensus on the existence or great, unmistakeably was master, could just as well present themselves as a ‘school’ because ‘they all saw all saw ‘they because ‘school’ themselves as a could just as well present ofless as the children themselves more or Henri Pirenne’. brought forward yet another Pirenne model. In his in memoriam for Fernand In his in memoriam for Fernand yet another Pirenne model. brought forward referred explicitly to he alumni, another of (1903-1979), Pirenne’s Vercauteren that ‘Belgianness’ and to a certain ‘Bourgundian man of the world’ Pirenne’s ‘The most honored by Henri Pirenne and his Belgian tradition, went with it: a combination of has promoted . with joie de vivre intensive scholarship school, S.K.)(The Pirennian historian, never tired a thoroughly convivial person, was and telling stories about tables laden with food of meeting people, travelling, and drink’. Pirenne founded a school. Pirenne is known as the ‘father of‘father Ghent the the known as Pirenne is a school. founded Pirenne has a school such Prevenier Walter of to but according school history’, never existed. perceived something of a ‘Pirennian paradigm’ that seems to perfectly ‘Pirennian paradigm’ ofperceived something a The predecessors. own scholarly ofcombine the influences Pirenne’s a strong ‘with is a medievalist according to Beyen, historian, Pirenne school of the influence of economic ‘convinced Ranke), (cf. methodological basis’ with both the German and ‘concerned and Lamprecht) (cf. factors on history’ the syncretism of Kurth). (cf. historical world’ French methodologically and thematically, so we cannot speak of so we cannot speak an overarching and thematically, methodologically a name to give ‘legacy’ of Prevenier speaks Therefore a paradigm. structure or ‘father to the continuity of Pirenne rather than calling him the the link with at the for instance ofThe strength expressed, was this legacy of a school’. be when it appeared to Conference in Rome in 1955, International Historical years after his death. alive and well twenty Anton Froeyman gives a different of set gives Froeyman Anton Prevenier, ‘Ceci n’est pas un historien’, 558. ‘Ceci Prevenier, momentopname Een ‘Rome in 1955. Jo Tollebeek, van de Belgische en Nederlandse et philologie de belge geschiedschrijving’, Revue 85:2 (2007) 368-369.d’histoire Beyen, Oorlog en verleden Ibid. characteristics the of historian the of Ghent heschool: practices urban history, is socially and liberal of and Flemish-mindedcommitted

67 68 69 66 scholarly personae: repertoires and performances of academic identity

the nature of a Pirenne school, let alone of a ‘Pirennian persona’. Pirenne combined the ideal collection of skills, values and standards that were required of historians in his time with very specific personal characteristics, such as notable emotional intelligence, a talent for daring syntheses and one- liners, an exuberant social life and a great social openness and tolerance. At the same time he was inextricably linked to a certain era and a certain Belgium, which has died with him. Therefore the nostalgic idealisation of Pirenne by his students must also be interpreted as a longing for a long-vanished ‘Pirennian’ Belgium and its corresponding academic culture, just as Jan Dhondt’s criticism of Pirenne was also an unmistakeable attack on these old structures (and their principal representative, François Ganshof).71 Apart from being an influential scholar, Pirenne can better be regarded as a mythologised personality than scientific persona: the fact that he is often described in such terms as ‘icon’ or ‘phenomenon’ underlines this conclusion.

Sarah Keymeulen is a researcher at Ghent University. Together with Jo Tollebeek, she is the author of Henri Pirenne: A Life in Pictures (Leuven 2011). She is currently finishing her PhD on Henri Pirenne. Email: [email protected].

71 See Trüper, Topography of a Method, 98-99.