1. 1. COLLINGWOOD'S RECEPTION Collingwood's scholarly reputation is a complicated and variegated affair. For one has not only to make a' distinction between his reputation during his life and after his premature death in 1943, but also between his reputation as a philosopher and as an archaeologist and historian. Collingwood himself considered philosophy as his primary occupation and his work in archaeology and history as that of an amateur. This work, however, reached the highest standards and his contributions to archaeology and history have always been appreciated accordingly. Though Collingwood's reputation as the main expert on Roman Britain in the period between the two wars remains unchallenged, modern developments in this field have inevitably superseded his contributions and made them primarily voices from a past period. Philosophy was the other half of Collingwood's scholarly life. In his own thinking there was always a close relationship between philosophy and archaeological and histor ical practice. His interpreters have not always recognized this connection. I have met archaeologists who were surprised to hear that Collingwood was a philosopher as well, who either did not know that he had been a practising and philosophers archaeologist and historian, or thought it no more than a private hobby. Collingwood's reputation as a philosopher was very different from the one he gained in archaeology and history. For in the philosophical climate at Oxford between the wars he was always an isolated figure.
Since its appearance in 1981 History as a Science has been welcomed as a coherent and comprehensive review and analysis of the many aspects of Collingwood’s philosophy of history, the development of his views, and their reception. The book was the first to pay extensive attention to Collingwood’s unpublished manuscripts, and to his work as an archaeologist and historian. With the publication of this volume Jan van der Dussen opened up a new angle in Collingwood studies. The republication of this volume meets an increasing demand to make the book available for future Collingwood scholars, and people interested in Collingwood’s philosophy. Apart from verbal changes to improve readability and a new pagination, the manuscript is the same as the original.
Some appraisals of the original edition
‘I cannot doubt that this book belongs in the library of every scholar who is interested in the philosophy of Collingwood’ (Leon J. Goldstein, State University of New York at Binghamton)
‘Van der Dussen has cleared the way for a new stage of Collingwoodian studies and has indicated directions in which such studies can now most fruitfully proceed’ (William H. Dray, University of Ottawa)
‘Future students of Collingwood will have to take into account not only the manuscript collection but also this book’ (D.W. Bebbington, University of Stirling)
‘This is an important and exciting book’ (W. von Leyden)
‘Van der Dussen’s book opens a new era in Collingwood studies’ (E.O. Golob, Wesleyan University)
‘As expositor of his [Collingwood’s] thinking, van der Dussen has been solidly successful; archaeologists, often no less than philosophers, should welcome this big and lucid book’ (Christopher Hawkes)
