TZ
Theodore Zeldin
78quotes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Theodore Zeldin was born as Theodoros Zeldini to a Greek family in Egypt in 1923.
Birth and Death Dates
He passed away on April 29, 2015, at the age of 92.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Zeldin held British nationality. His profession was that of an historian specializing in French history, but he also worked as a philosopher, sociologist, and novelist.
Early Life and Background
Born to a family of Greek origin, Zeldin's early life was spent in Egypt, where his father was a merchant. He moved to England with his family at the age of 8. After serving in the British Army during World War II, he went on to study French history at Oxford University.
Major Accomplishments
Zeldin is best known for his work as an historian, but he also made significant contributions as a philosopher and sociologist. His most notable work as an historian was his multi-volume biography of France under the Ancien Régime. This monumental work took him over 30 years to complete.
Notable Works or Actions
One of Zeldin's greatest achievements was his translation of French memoirs from the eighteenth century, which he published in six volumes between 1973 and 1981. His work not only provided valuable insights into the lives of ordinary people during this period but also revealed how their experiences were shaped by social class and economic circumstances.
Impact and Legacy
Zeldin's approach to history was groundbreaking in its focus on individual experiences, rather than grand narratives or events. This approach has influenced generations of historians who have sought to understand the complexities of human experience through a more nuanced and detailed analysis of historical records.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Theodore Zeldin is widely remembered for his work as an historian, but also for his ability to capture the essence of human relationships and experiences. His writing style was characterized by a deep empathy with those he wrote about, which allowed readers to connect with the past in a more personal way.
Throughout his career, Zeldin's approach to history has been praised for its thought-provoking insights into the complexities of human society. His ability to analyze historical events through the eyes of ordinary people makes him one of the most respected historians of our time.
Quotes by Theodore Zeldin
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France is an idea, not a territory. They pay more attention to intellectuals here; they give artists and writers the feeling they're valued.
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Gastronomy has done more to bring together people of the world than any guns ever could.
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However fascinating you may think you are, there is a limit to what you can know about yourself.
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The main purpose of engaging in conversation can no longer be personal advancement or respectability. Instead, I'd like for us to use conversations to create equality, to open ourselves to strangers, and, most practically, to remake our working world.
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You cannot measure the minute nuance that makes the difference between being happy and unhappy at work.
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It's easy to say, 'I'm anti-capitalist,' or, 'I'm anti-Western decadence,' without having to be challenged about what that actually means, or how you might go about reshaping society to make it better.
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I think one of the most important changes of our time has been our attitude to fear. Every civilisation defends itself by keeping fears out and saying 'we protect you from fear'. But it also produces new fears and throughout history people have changed the kind of fears which have worried them.
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