Historical analysis using topic modelling: insights from Khevenhüller’s diary 1742–76

Abstract Research on the political dynamics of the Viennese court in the Habsburg Monarchy has emphasized the significance of trends among the court nobility, who influenced imperial decisions. Therefore, we explore the diary of Johann Joseph Khevenhüller-Metsch, a confidant of Maria Theresia. While his diary, written intermittently from 1742 to 1776, comprises a valuable resource, the sheer volume of information spanning 35 years and approximately 645,000 words has hindered a comprehensive examination. Employing a combination of quantitative topic modelling and historical close reading, we analysed Khevenhüller’s diary to identify multiple themes and their evolution, elucidating historically significant topics that have been ignored in existing research. This study contributes to the ongoing debate surrounding the introduction of quantitative methods in historical research. Through the analysis of Khevenhüller’s diary, we uncovered topics that constituted the core of discourse among the Habsburg nobility during the 18th century.