Erik Arup

Erik Arup (1876-1951) was a Danish historian and archivist. He is best known for his multi-volume Danmarks Historie (History of Denmark), a comprehensive and highly influential work covering Danish history from prehistory to the 20th century.

Arup began his career as an archivist at the Danish National Archives, eventually becoming the Keeper of the Archives. His work there profoundly shaped his historical research. He was a meticulous scholar known for his thorough examination of primary sources.

His Danmarks Historie, published between 1925 and 1955 (with the final volume completed posthumously by others), offered a detailed and nuanced account of Danish political, social, and economic development. The work emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context and avoiding simplistic narratives. It remains a standard reference work for scholars of Danish history, although more recent scholarship has offered alternative interpretations of some events. Arup also published works on medieval Danish history and historiography.