How to Write a Harvard Referencing for History

History students must navigate a complex landscape of primary archival documents and secondary historiographical debates. Using Harvard referencing in history requires precision to distinguish between a witness's contemporary account and a modern historian's retrospective analysis.

What Is a Harvard Referencing in History?

In the context of history, Harvard referencing is an author-date system used to credit the origins of evidence and interpretations. Unlike fields that rely solely on recent data, history requires Harvard citations to clarify whether the source is a primary artifact from the period under study or a peer-reviewed secondary source evaluating that period.

Before You Start

• Distinguish between primary sources (like the Domesday Book) and secondary sources (like a biography by Antonia Fraser).
• Locate the specific page numbers for direct quotes from historical monographs.
• Check if your history department requires the inclusion of the original publication date for reprinted classic texts.
• Identify the archive location or digital repository for unpublished manuscripts or letters.
• Verify the full names of historians to ensure correct alphabetization in your reference list.

Citing a Single-Authored Monograph

The most common source in history is the scholarly book. Include the author's surname, the year of publication, the title in italics, the place of publication, and the publisher.

Example: Hobsbawm, E. The Age of Empire: 1875-1914. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

Tip: Always use the edition you actually read, as page numbers and introductions often change between revised editions.

Referencing Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Historians use journals like 'The English Historical Review' to present new research. Cite the author, year, article title in quotes, journal title in italics, volume, issue number, and page range.

Example: Darnton, R. 'Workers Revolt: The Great Cat Massacre of the Rue Saint-Séverin'. The Journal of Modern History, 56(1), pp. 1-53.

Tip: If accessing through a database like JSTOR, you do not usually need the URL unless the journal is online-only.

Handling Primary Sources in Archives

When citing unpublished material like letters or government records, include the author, the date (if known), the title or description of the document, the collection name, and the archive location.

Example: Chamberlain, N. Letter to Ida Chamberlain, 12 August. Neville Chamberlain Papers, NC18/1/1050. Birmingham: University of Birmingham Special Collections.

Tip: Use the specific finding aid reference number provided by the archivist to help others locate the exact document.

Citing Edited Collections and Readers

For chapters in edited volumes, such as an essay in a 'New Cambridge Medieval History' volume, cite the chapter author first, followed by the editor of the book.

Example: Foot, S. 'The Making of Angelcynn'. In: Stafford, P. (ed.) A Companion to the Early Middle Ages. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 25-40.

Tip: Ensure the year refers to the publication of the volume, not the historical period being discussed.

Referencing Translated Historical Texts

If you are using a translated primary source, such as Herodotus or a French Revolution pamphlet, you must credit both the original author and the translator.

Example: Bloch, M. The Historian's Craft. Translated from the French by P. Putnam. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Tip: Mentioning the translator is vital in history as the choice of words can change the interpretation of the evidence.

Citing Online Historical Databases

For digitized primary sources found on platforms like 'The Old Bailey Online', include the source details and the full URL with the date you accessed it.

Example: Old Bailey Proceedings. 'Trial of Thomas Jones for Theft', 10th September. Available at: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org (Accessed: 14 May).

Tip: Avoid citing Wikipedia; find the original source or a digitized archive instead.

Formatting the Reference List

Organize all sources alphabetically by the author's surname. Do not separate primary and secondary sources unless specifically instructed by your history handbook.

Example: Braudel, F. (followed by) Carr, E.H. (followed by) Evans, R.J.

Tip: Double-check that every in-text citation in your essay on the Cold War has a matching entry in this list.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing the original event date with the publication date of the history book.
• Failing to italicize the titles of major historical journals like 'Past & Present'.
• Omitting page numbers for direct quotes from lengthy biographies or monographs.
• Using 'Anonymous' for primary sources where the author is unknown; use the document title instead.
• Inconsistent capitalization of historical eras or movement names within titles.

Pro Tips

• When citing a classic work like Gibbon's 'Decline and Fall', include the original publication year in brackets if your department allows it.
• Use 'ibid.' only if your specific university's Harvard style permits it; many modern Harvard variations prefer repeating the author and year.
• Keep a research log of shelf marks while at the archive so you don't have to return just to check a reference.
• Check if a source is a 'reprint' or a 'new edition'—historians care deeply about the historiographical context of when a book was written.
• For ancient sources, use standard abbreviations (e.g., Tac. Ann.) only if you have provided a key or if it is standard practice in your sub-field.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a primary source found within a secondary history book?

This is a 'secondary citation'. In your text, mention the original creator (e.g., Napoleon) and then cite the historian who quoted them: (Napoleon, cited in Roberts, p. 102). Only Roberts should appear in your reference list.

Do I need to include the archive's location in a Harvard reference?

Yes, for unpublished primary sources, the physical location (e.g., The National Archives, Kew) is essential for the traceability of your historical evidence.

Should I cite the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entries?

Yes, treat these as chapters in an edited online book. Cite the author of the specific entry, the year of the latest update, the subject's name as the title, and the ODNB as the publication.

How do I cite a documentary film or historical newsreel?

Cite the title of the film or newsreel, the year of release, the medium (e.g., Film or Digital), and the production company or archive that holds it.

Related Resources

• How to Write a Harvard Referencing for Business

• How to Write a Harvard Referencing for Philosophy

• How to Write a Harvard Referencing for Communications

• Find Peer-Reviewed Sources with Sourcely

• Polish Your Writing with Revise AI