Biography

John Gurda is a Milwaukee-born writer and historian who has been studying his hometown since 1972. He is the author of eighteen books, on subjects ranging from life insurance to Frank Lloyd Wright and from heavy industries to historic cemeteries. The Making of Milwaukee is Gurda’s most ambitious effort.  With 450 pages, more than 500 illustrations, and a cast of thousands, it is the first feature-length history of the community published since 1948. Milwaukee Public Television premiered an Emmy Award-winning documentary series based on the book in 2006.

In addition to his work as an author, Gurda is a lecturer, tour guide, and local history columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He holds a B.A. in English from Boston College and an M.A. in Cultural Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Gurda is an eight-time winner of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Award of Merit.




John Gurda

John Gurda is a Milwaukee-born writer and historian. John Gurda is the author of thirteen books, including histories of Milwaukee-area neighborhoods, churches and industries. "The Making of Milwaukee" is John Gurda's most ambitious effort. It is the first feature-length history of the community published since 1948.

John Gurda is a lecturer, tour guide and local history columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. John Gurda holds a B.A.in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. John Gurda is an eight-time winner of the Wisconsin Historical Society's Award of Merit. Developed, Hosted and Maintained by Thinkc2