History from below, also known as “people’s history” or “radical history”, is simply another way to refer to Social History, which is a branch of historical study that focuses on the lives, experiences and perspectives of the ordinary people, rather than the elite and major events. Its aim is to bring to light the roles of everyday individuals in shaping history.
The term “history from below” was popularized by British historian E. P. Thompson in the 1960’s. In his work, “The Making of the English Working Class” (1963), Thompson examined the lives of working-class people, highlighting their contributions to historical developments. He described his approach as “history from below,” aiming to give voice to those traditionally marginalized in historical narratives.
The origins of “history from below” can be traced back to the 1930s, with historians like Lucien Febvre, Georges Lefebvre, and A. L. Morton discussing the history of working people in France and England. However, it was Thompson’s articulation and application of the concept that brought it to prominence.
On our guided walks, we focus (like Thompson) on the lives and experiences of ordinary people, offering a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of local history, while also bringing to life untold or forgotten stories.