Prophet or fool? The professional position and role of historians of education

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the professional dilemmas of historians of education in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses historiographical analysis.

Findings

While some aspects of both “prophet” and “fool” cultural archetypes fit some historians of education, neither archetype is a useful model for discussing the possible professional positions and roles of new scholars. Instead, “border-crossing” is an appropriate metaphor for new scholars in the history of education.

Originality/value

This manuscript addresses a topic of concern to many historians of education in multiple countries. It moves beyond material concerns of intellectuals to discuss the cultural archetypes that may be at play.

Citation

Dorn, S. (2015), "Prophet or fool? The professional position and role of historians of education", History of Education Review, Vol. 44 No. 1, pp. 23-37. https://doi.org/10.1108/HER-03-2014-0016