Alexander Burns

Dr. Alexander Burns is an Assistant Professor of History at Franciscan University, joining in August 2022 after teaching at West Virginia University, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Montreat College. His research focuses on 18th-century military conflicts in North America and Europe, emphasizing infantry combat and the experiences of enlisted soldiers. He is the author of Infantry in Battle, 1733-1783 (2023) and editor of The Changing Face of Old Regime Warfare (2022). His upcoming project explores the transfer of military professionalism from Europe to the United States during the American Revolution.

Education: His doctoral work was advised by the late Katherine B. Aaslestad, though specific degree details are not provided. Research interests include re-evaluating traditional narratives of 18th-century warfare, focusing on enlisted soldiers' agency and adaptive tactics over rigid portrayals of military automation.

Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to military history, blending tactical analysis with social history. Current projects emphasize transatlantic military exchanges and their legacy in U.S. military culture.