Integrity and Historical Research

Biographers, dramatists, and fiction writers defend their use of the historical research upon which they rely by claiming that it has been used with #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;integrity.#xE2;#xAC;" But what does integrity in this context mean? Some literature exists on the reporting and accurate use of historical research in academic work. This however does not begin to touch on the complex considerations facing an historical biographer, scriptwriter, or director. Historians too must balance the desire to make their research exciting to read as well as historically accurate and culturally sensitive. This book does not simply continue the argument between historians and historical novelists, biographers and scriptwriters as to whose account of historical events and characters is the most authentic. Instead, it extends this debate by examining the means by which writers of fiction and biographers may use the research undertaken and published by historians with #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;integrity.#xE2;#xAC;" The diverse and international contributions to this volume look at the narration of events and character portrayals in a variety of #xE2;#xAC;#xDC;historical#xE2;#xAC;" works from a number of perspectives. In so doing they relate to literary traditions that range from traditional to post-modern, posing the questions that writers of historical fiction and biography confront. This book will appeal not only to writers of fiction or biography, but also to historians who seek to maintain the integrity and accessibility of their work. Integrity in Historical Researchopens up this debate between historians and writers of fiction as to the meaning of integrity and the necessity of using others#xE2;#xAC;" research responsibly.