About Quote by Stacy Schiff
“I once interviewed David Herbert Donald, the Lincoln historian, and we talked about how one deals with the secondary sources and the previous biographies. He said something which kept coming back to me as I worked on Cleopatra, which was: 'There's no further new material; there are only new questions.'”
About This Quote
Source Interview: with David Herbert Donald, historian, date unknown
Highlights that research yields new questions rather than new facts.
In simple terms: New questions arise from old material.
Key Takeaway
Focus on asking better questions.
Themes
history
research
inquiry
Mood
inquisitive
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- journalism
- genealogy
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
historiography
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you formulate fresh questions?
- What limits do you face in existing data?
A Different Perspective
May suggest stagnation in source material.
![“Véra assumed her married name almost as a stage name; rarely has matrimony so much represented a profession. It was one of the ironies of the life that – born at a time and place where women could and did lay claim to all kinds of ambitions – she should elevate the role of wife to a high art. […]…” quote by Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/30f/stacy-schiff-7881_art_v-ra-assumed-her-married-name-almost-as_231770.jpg)
