An 'architect' of Brazilian historiography: History and historians in José Honório Rodrigues

Abstract

This article analyzes the history of Brazilian historiography, according to the perspective of José Honório Rodrigues (1913-1987), as part of the efforts which began to be made in the 1930s to invest in professional aspects of History as a discipline in Brazil - emphasizing, for instance, the central function of historical methodology as an advantage over amateur writings. One of the main contributions of Rodrigues consisted of the organization and periodization of a history for Brazilian historical research. When composing this historical narrative, he not only organized a past, but also indicated a possible future for what he idealized as a professional field. His project of a Historical Research Institute, which would guarantee adequate theoretical and methodological training to the young Brazilian historians, would make history writing depart from more conservative and traditionalist views in order to uncover the true paths of a revolution in the national historical process.