Philippe Ariès and the History of Childhood

About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about the crucial contributions to the history of childhood made by Philippe Ariès, focusing in particular on: (i) his key work, Centuries of Childhood (1960), in terms of its historical scope and emphasis on changes in family structure and schooling to understand changes in childhood; (ii) Ariès’ arguments regarding the negative depiction of childhood in the Middle Ages; (iii) his focus on the development of schooling from the early modern period in conceptualising the transformation of childhood; (iv) the extent to which he followed a “progressive” narrative, wherein the lives of children were seen to be continually improving.

About the lecturer

Professor Hugh Cunningham is Emeritus Professor of Social History at the University of Kent. He specialises in the history of childhood, youth and charity in modern Britain. His recent publications include The Reputation of Philanthropy Since 1750 (2020), Time, Work and Leisure: Life Changes in England Since 1700 (2014), and The Invention of Childhood (2006).