Correct Answer:
C. Leopold von Ranke
The correct answer is Leopold von Ranke. Leopold von Ranke (1795–1886) is widely regarded as the 'Father of Modern History' due to his pioneering work in establishing the scientific method in historical research. He emphasized the importance of primary sources, objectivity, and writing history 'as it essentially was'.
- Herodotus is known as the 'Father of History' for his work 'The Histories', but he represents ancient historical writing.
- Thucydides, another ancient Greek historian, is celebrated for his analytical and objective approach to the Peloponnesian War, but predates modern historical methodology.
- Edward Gibbon is famous for 'The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire', a monumental work of the Enlightenment, but not the originator of modern historical methodology.