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Wilhelm von Giesebrecht
German historian
Also known as: Friedrich Wilhelm Benjamin von Giesebrecht
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 ...(100 of 118 words)