Wilhelm von Giesebrecht

German historian
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Print
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Also known as: Friedrich Wilhelm Benjamin von Giesebrecht
Quick Facts
Born:
March 5, 1814, Berlin
Died:
December 18, 1889, Munich (aged 75)
Subjects Of Study:
Germany

Wilhelm von Giesebrecht (born March 5, 1814, Berlin—died December 18, 1889, Munich) was a German historian, author of the first general history of medieval Germany based on modern critical methods, and a student of Leopold von Ranke.

In 1857 Giesebrecht became professor at Königsberg and in 1862 succeeded Heinrich von Sybel at Munich. In Geschichte der deutschen Kaiserzeit, 6 vol. (1855–95; “History of the German Imperial Age,” completed by B. von Simson), Giesebrecht concerned himself with political and religious aspects, ignoring legal, social, economic, and constitutional history. His romantic view of the emperors aroused controversy, notably with Sybel. Other works include Jahrbücher des deutschen Reichs unter Otto II (1840; “Annals of the German Empire under Otto II”) and the restoration of the monastery records Annales Altahenses (1841).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.