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Leopold von Ranke (December 21, 1795 – May 23, 1886) was one of the greatest German historians of the 19th century, and is frequently considered the founder of modern based history. Ranke set the tone for much of later historical writing, introducing such ideas as reliance on primary sources, an emphasis on narrative history and especially international politics (Aussenpolitik) and a commitment to writing history "as it essentially [was]" In his own words: "[…] nicht das Amt die Vergangenheit zu Richten, die Mitwelt zum Nutzen zukünftiger Jahre zu belehren, sondern bloß zu zeigen, wie es eigentlich gewesen".