Charles Victor Langlois

Born in Rouen on May 26, 1863, and later active in Paris, Charles-Victor Langlois was a French historian and paleographer who specialized in medieval history. He studied at the École Nationale des Chartes, earned a doctorate in history, and went on to teach at the Sorbonne.

Langlois is best known for his work on historical scholarship itself as well as on medieval France. With Charles Seignobos, he wrote Introduction aux études historiques, a book that became widely known for its clear, methodical approach to evaluating sources and practicing history as a disciplined craft.

Alongside his teaching and research, he also held major archival and library roles, reflecting his deep commitment to documents, manuscripts, and the careful study of evidence. His work helped define professional historical method for a generation of scholars.