Art Quote by J. B. Bury
“I may remind you that history is not a branch of literature. The facts of history, like the facts of geology or astronomy, can supply material for literary art; for manifest reasons they lend themselves to artistic representation far more readily than those of the natural sciences; but to clothe the story of human society in a literary dress is no more the part of a historian as a historian, than it is the part of an astronomer as an astronomer to present in an artistic shape the story of the stars.”
About This Quote
History provides factual material for art, but its primary duty is to present facts, not to dress them in literary style.
In simple terms: History is factual, not literary.
Key Takeaway
Historians must prioritize factual accuracy over artistic flourish.
Themes
history vs literature
facts vs narrative
disciplinary boundaries
role of historian
artistic representation
methodology
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
respectful
Type
explanatory
philosophical
didactic
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- museum exhibit design
- documentary filmmaking
- public history presentations
- textbook authoring
Key Concepts
historical method
literary art
geology
astronomy
human society
Practical Applications
- educational curricula
- cultural heritage preservation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does artistic framing affect public perception of history?
- When is it appropriate for historians to employ narrative techniques?
A Different Perspective
None
