Yves Durand (historian)

Yves Durand (born 1931) is a French historian specializing in the social, economic, and religious history of France in the Ancien Régime, particularly the 17th and 18th centuries. He is known for his extensive research on the social composition of the French population during this period, the impact of Jansenism, and the complexities of French society before the Revolution.

Durand's academic career primarily unfolded at the University of Nantes, where he held a professorship. His work often emphasizes quantitative methods and detailed archival research to provide nuanced and comprehensive accounts of pre-revolutionary France. He has contributed significantly to our understanding of the diverse social strata, religious movements, and economic realities that shaped the era.

Key Works:

• Les fermiers généraux au XVIIIe siècle (1971) - A significant study of the General Farm, the private company responsible for collecting many indirect taxes in France.

• Vivarés et Vivarais : espace et pouvoirs (du Moyen Âge à la Révolution) (1994) - An examination of the Vivarais region and its power structures from the Middle Ages to the Revolution.

• Le monde des campagnes au temps de Louis XIV (2001) - A detailed portrayal of rural society during the reign of Louis XIV.

Durand's scholarship has been influential in shaping contemporary historical interpretations of the Ancien Régime, particularly in its emphasis on social structures and economic conditions. He remains a respected figure in French historical studies.