John L. Larson

John L. Larson is a Professor in the Department of History at Purdue University. His research focuses on U.S. History, with specialized expertise in U.S. Political and Early National History, Business History, and Environmental History. Larson earned his history degree from Luther College and pursued advanced studies at Brown University before joining Purdue in 1983.

• Coeditor of the Journal of the Early Republic (1994–2004)
• Former Director of Research at Conner Prairie Pioneer Settlement
• Previous teaching position at Earlham College

His scholarly work centers on the intersection of economic development, governance, and environmental exploitation in early American history. Recent publications, such as Laid Waste: The Culture of Exploitation in Early America, highlight themes of resource utilization and ecological consequences.

Professor Larson's career spans decades of contributions to the study of the Early American Republic, with a particular emphasis on the interplay between business, infrastructure, and societal change. His books, including Internal Improvement and The Market Revolution in America, analyze the evolution of public works and market systems.