The very first historical works were The Histories composed by Herodotus of Halicarnassus ( 484 BC -- ca .425 BC ) , who became later known as the ` father of history ' ( Cicero ) . The earliest known critical historical works were The Histories , composed by Herodotus of Halicarnassus ( 484 BCâ `` ca .425 BC ) who later became known as the ` father of history ' ( Cicero ) .