John Gurda

State: Wisconsin

John Gurda, born in Milwaukee in 1947, is a celebrated local historian, writer, and columnist whose work has illuminated the social, industrial, and cultural transformation of Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Since the 1970s he has authored over twenty books, including the landmark The Making of Milwaukee, the first full history of the city published in decades. That book was adapted into an Emmy-winning PBS documentary series. Known for accessible prose rooted in geographic and cultural scholarship, Gurda also serves as a longtime history columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and delivers lectures on Wisconsin heritage. Passionate about telling layered stories of place, ethnic communities, and civic identity, his books have become essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the region's past. He continues to live and write in Milwaukee, connecting readers with the deeper history of their communities.

Genres: Nonfiction

Audiences: Adult, All Ages