former historian

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former historian" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who previously held the position of a historian but no longer does so. Example: "After years of research, she decided to pursue a different career path, becoming a former historian."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

A former historian,Ms.

The New York Times

Our narrator herself is a former historian and teacher; has she come here to think, possibly to write?

The Guardian - Books

"He eventually had a change of heart about a lot of that stuff," said Ray Smock, a former historian for Congress who now oversees Mr. Byrd's archives.

The New York Times

"The biggest challenge with oral testimony," said Mike Nutkiewicz, a former historian at the foundation, "is finding the exact place in the testimony that's relevant to the project.

The New York Times - Tech

Bennett shares their dislike of the ravening greed and materialism of modern Britain, but at the same time, as a former historian, he is fascinated by the past.

The Guardian

Susan Rosenfeld, a former historian for the F.B.I., said that the report's relative brevity indicated that the agency did not consider him a threat to national security.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"He was an empire builder," Robert M. Utley, a former Park Service historian, said in an interview on Tuesday.

The New York Times

"They bring out interesting people," said Sallie Sypher, a former Putnam County historian.

The New York Times

But every age differs from every other, as the former University of Virginia historian Merrill D. Peterson observes in "Lincoln in American Memory".

The New Yorker

A trustee, Richard Major, a former town historian who helped found the society in 1970, is now busy indexing the archives.

The New York Times

Robert Maxwell Young, a Yale-educated British-trained psychoanalytic psychotherapist and former Cambridge historian of science, is outside both camps.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "former historian", ensure that the context clearly indicates the person's current profession or activity to avoid ambiguity. For example, "a former historian, now a novelist".

Common error

Avoid using "former historian" without providing context about the individual's current role. Readers might not understand why their historical background is relevant if their current occupation isn't mentioned or implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former historian" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "historian". It indicates that the individual in question previously held the role of a historian but no longer does. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "former historian" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe someone who previously held the position of historian but is no longer actively working in that field. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Its primary function is to provide context about an individual's background, often appearing in news and media outlets. While versatile, it's advisable to provide additional information about the person's current role for clarity. Alternatives like "previous historian" or "ex-historian" can be used depending on the desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous historian

This emphasizes the temporal aspect of the role, focusing on the fact that it came before the current situation.

one-time historian

Highlights that the person was a historian at one point in time, suggesting a more distant past.

ex-historian

A shorter, more informal way to indicate that someone used to be a historian.

past historian

Similar to "previous historian" but can also imply that the person is no longer involved with historical studies.

historian emeritus

Used specifically for retired historians who retain an honorary title, typically in academic settings.

retired historian

Indicates that the historian has ended their career, usually due to age or health.

historian (retired)

Parenthetical addition to the word 'historian' indicating the retired status.

former professor of history

Specifies the academic context of the historian's previous role.

historian turned [new profession]

Implies a complete career shift, highlighting the contrast between the past and present occupation.

onetime history expert

A more emphatic way to express someone's professional skills in history in the past.

FAQs

How do you properly use "former historian" in a sentence?

Use "former historian" to describe someone who previously worked as a historian but no longer does. For example: "The speaker, a "former historian", offered a unique perspective on the event."

What are some synonyms for "former historian"?

Alternatives include "previous historian", "ex-historian", or "past historian", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "a historian formerly" instead of "former historian"?

While grammatically understandable, "a historian formerly" is less common and less idiomatic than ""former historian"". The latter is the preferred and more natural choice.

What's the difference between a "former historian" and a "retired historian"?

A ""former historian"" has moved on to a different profession, whereas a "retired historian" has ended their career as a historian, typically due to age, but may still engage in historical research or writing.