History

Our oldest historian is the Venerable Bede, who wrote in Latin an Ecclesiastical History of very great merit (672–735). Of secular historians, William of Poitiers, who wrote in Latin The Gests or Deeds of William, Duke of Normandy and King of the English (1020–1088). His contemporary was Ingulphus, who wrote a history of Croyland Abbey (1030–1109). The oldest prose work in Early English is Sir John Mandeville’s account of his Eastern travels in 1356.

The Father of History. Herodʹotos the Greek historian (B.C. 484–408). So called by Cicero.

The Father of Ecclesiastical History. Eusebius of Cæsarēa (264–340).

Father of French History. André Duchesne (1584–1640).

Father of Historic Painting. Polygnoʹtos of Thaõs (flourished B.C. 463–435).

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.