Revisionist Historians: Writers Reflected in their Writings

Abstract

Historians are revisionists in that personal and cultural conditioning is automatically reflected in their interpretations. These influences, coupled with conscious efforts to reexamine material, result in revised interpretations from era to era. The fact that phenomena are interpreted differently over time is illustrated by contrasting views of Lowell Mason during his lifetime and our own era. In his day, Mason was criticized as an opportunist who played favorites; today he is criticized for plagiarizing as well as for promoting ersatz Pestalozzianism and colorless music. In the nineteenth century, he was praised as a teacher, a creator of “correct” music, and an advocate of church music. In the twentieth century, Mason is praised for instigating curricular school music. The nature of these views, then versus now, reflects the cultural conditioning and personalities of observers then versus now When we recognize these conscious and unconscious influences upon historical writing, we become more perceptive readers and more insightful writers.