Clayton Howard

Clayton Howard is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at The Ohio State University. His expertise spans US history since 1877, urban and suburban history, gender, sexuality, race, and politics. He holds a PhD from the University of Michigan (2010).

Howard’s research focuses on postwar U.S. history, particularly intersections between urban development, sexual privacy, and political movements. His 2019 book The Closet and the Cul-de-Sac examines Northern California’s cultural wars over gay rights, while his 2013 article on postwar housing policy highlights state interventions in urban spaces. Current projects include a study on Cold War-era gun violence activism.

Teaching includes courses on American cities/suburbs (HIST3040), the Sexual Revolution (HIST4015), and modern U.S. history (HIST2002). Graduate-level courses include an urban history seminar (HIST7014).