John Carson

John Carson is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Michigan, specializing in the history of science, medicine, and legal systems. He holds a PhD in History of Science from Princeton University (1994) and has held postdoctoral fellowships at institutions including the Wellcome Institute, Cornell University, and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG). His research explores intersections of law, medicine, and governance, particularly focusing on medico-legal concepts like 'unsoundness of mind' and the history of mental testing.

Education

• PhD in History of Science, Princeton University, 1994

Research Interests His work bridges intellectual history, legal history, and the history of science, examining how concepts like 'merit,' 'intelligence,' and 'mental capacity' shaped governance and social inequality in France and the United States. Current projects include analyzing legal-medical categories in 18th-19th century Anglo-American jurisprudence.

Awards & Recognition

• 2010 Cheiron Book Prize (The Measure of Merit)
• 2003 Best Article Award (Forum for the History of the Human Sciences)

Advising & Collaborations Organized digital history workshops at the University of Michigan and serves on the editorial board of History of Psychology. Previously contributed to the Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences board.

Labs/Teams Engaged with interdisciplinary projects at the MPIWG and collaborates with global research networks in history of science.