Description
A historian researches, analyzes, records, and interprets the past using primary and secondary sources, including government and institutional records, newspapers, periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, digital media, and unpublished manuscripts such as diaries and letters, and disseminates findings through publications, teaching, and public programs.
- • Organize sources and assess their authenticity and significance.
- • Gather historical data from archives, court records, diaries, news files, photographs, books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
- • Trace historical developments in social, cultural, political, diplomatic, or other fields.
- • Research to inform identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
- • Teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, museums, and research agencies.
- • Publish or present research findings and interpretations.
- • Speak to groups and organizations to promote historical understanding and society initiatives.
- • Prepare or review publications and exhibits for historical accuracy.
- • Research the history of specific countries, regions, or periods.
- • Frame historical accounts by individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.
- • Select research topics or pursue those requested by clients or employers.
- • Organize information for publication and digital dissemination.
- • Research and prepare manuscripts for public programs and exhibits at historic sites, museums, libraries, and archives.
- • Advise on historical authenticity of materials and period customs.
- • Translate or commission translations of reference materials.
- • Collect detailed biographical information on individuals.
- • Conduct interviews to gather information and record oral histories.
- • Recommend acquisitions or display selections for historical art and artifacts.
- • Coordinate cataloging and filing activities.
- • Edit historical society publications.
- • Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and artifacts.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
