Linked with A question of faith, and with Old order changeth.
Eric John Ernest Hobsbawm CH (born June 9, 1917 in Alexandria, Egypt) is a British Marxist historian and author. Hobsbawm was a long-standing member of the now defunct Communist Party of Great Britain and the associated Communist Party Historians Group. He is president of Birkbeck, University of London.
One of Hobsbawm’s interests is the development of traditions. His work is a study of their construction in the context of the nation state. He argues that many traditions are invented by national elites to justify the existence and importance of their respective nation states. (full text).
He says:
- about History: ‘History is being invented in vast quantities … it’s more important to have historians, especially sceptical historians than ever before.’
- about Communism: ‘I was a loyal Communist Party member for two decades before 1956 and therefore silent about a number of things about which it’s reasonable not to be silent.’
- avout Blair: ‘Labour Prime Ministers who glory in trying to be warlords – subordinate warlords particularly – certainly stick in my gullet.’ (Guardian).
Eric Hobsbawm – England
He says also: « I look back in amazement rather than regret, that not only I but humanity have made it through the past hundred-odd years ». (full text).
Google Scholar – All articles.
Man of the extreme century: Eric Hobsbawm is one of Britain’s greatest historians .The events of the twentieth century are as much components of his life as subjects of his books. In this wide-ranging conversation with Tristram Hunt, one of Britain ‘s new generation of historians, he reveals how he continues to believe in a spirit of progress as the surest route for happiness. (full text).
His weekly comments on the Guardian.