State of the Field: The New Administrative History

Abstract This article discusses the development of administrative history from ancient times to the present day. It explains the importance of Thomas Madox, T. F. Tout and other pioneers of administrative history in modern England and France. It also discusses the golden age of early modern administrative history (roughly 1950–1990), in which administrative methods thrived under the auspices of Sir Geoffrey Elton. The final section discusses a recent resurgence of administrative history, which some have referred to as the New Administrative History. It makes a case for the continuing importance of administrative history.