Sigurður Gylfi Magnússon,

The Cultural Existance of Few Barefoot Historians in the Icelandic Peasant Society in the 19^th Century: Biography, Egodocuments and Microhistory

Abstract:

In my previous work I established a theoretical framework called ‘the Singularization of History’ by criticizing the way social, cultural and microhistorians have practiced their scholarship in the last two or three decades. I payed particular attention to one element common to the theoretical orientations of all microhistorians, viz. the connections between micro and macro. Microhistorians of all persuasions emphasize the importance of placing small units of research within larger contexts. I refute this principle and show its inherent contradictions. The challenge of my paper will be to consider how this research focus can be used when egodocuments are analysed, and whether it excludes the global perspective from historical inquiry with a special attention on the culture of emotions.

Notes on Contributor

Sigurður Gylfi Magnússon (Historian – Ph.D.) is currently a Professor of Cultural History, Department of History and Philosophy at the University of Iceland (see www.sgm.hi.is). He has written 25 books and numerous articles published in Iceland and abroad. His latest books in English are: Wasteland with Words. A Social History of Iceland (London: Reaktion Books, 2010), What is Microhistory? Theory and Practice (London: Routledge, 2013), co-authored with István M. Szijártó and Minor Knowledge and Microhistory (London: Routledge, 2016), co-authored with Davíð Ólafsson. Forthcoming in May this year is the book Emotional Experience and Microhistory: A Life Story of a Destitute Pauper Poet in the 19^th Century (London: Routledge, 2020).

Sigurður Gylfi is the founder and one of three editors of a book series named: “The Anthology of Icelandic Popular Culture” (Sýnisbók íslenskrar alþýðumenningar) which has so far published 25 books, mostly on the topics of egodocuments and everyday-life history. He is also co-editor with István M. Szijártó of a new international book series, Microhistories, published by Routledge.