Gustave Leon Schlumberger (17 October 1844 – 9 May 1929) was a prominent French historian and numismatist known for his extensive work on the Byzantine Empire and the Crusades. His contributions significantly shaped the field of Byzantine studies.
Born in Guebwiller, Alsace, which was part of France at the time, Schlumberger pursued medical studies in Paris starting in 1863. During the Franco-Prussian War, he served as a medic for the French army. After the war, he completed his medical degree and earned a doctorate in 1872 with a thesis focused on the respiratory tract[1][2][5].
Transitioning from medicine to history, Schlumberger became a respected figure in Byzantine studies. He was elected president of the Société des Antiquaires de France and became a member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres in 1884. His work included extensive travel across regions such as North Africa, Syria, Asia Minor, and Europe, which enriched his research on historical topics related to the Crusades and Byzantium[1][2][3].
Schlumberger's most notable publication is Numismatique de l'Orient Latin (1878-1882), regarded as a seminal work on Crusader coinage. His other significant publications include:
He also published memoirs titled Mes Souvenirs 1844-1928, which reflect on his life during the Third Republic[1][2][3].
Schlumberger was known for his ultra-conservative views and was an active supporter of the anti-Dreyfusard movement. His perspectives often sparked controversy within academic circles, particularly with contemporaries like Marcel Proust, who criticized him in his writings[1][2].
In recognition of his contributions, an award named after him, the Gustave Schlumberger Prize, was established by the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres to honor significant achievements in related fields[1][2].
Gustave Schlumberger passed away in Paris in 1929, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence historians and numismatists today.
Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustave_Schlumberger
[2] https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustave_Schlumberger
[3] https://en.geneastar.org/genealogy/schlumbergeg/gustave-schlumberger
[4] https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q704218
[5] https://www.nli.org.il/en/a-topic/987007274318605171
[6] https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Gustave_Schlumberger
[7] https://www.amazon.com/Gustave-Schlumberger/e/B004N728U6
[8] https://granger.com/results.asp
