J. N. (Josephus Nelson) Larned

Born on May 11, 1836, Josephus Nelson Larned was an American editor, librarian, and historian. He worked in journalism before becoming superintendent of the Buffalo Young Men's Association library, where he built a strong reputation as a thoughtful librarian and man of letters.

Larned wrote and edited a wide range of historical and reference works. He is especially known for History for Ready Reference and for editing The Literature of American History, books that aimed to guide readers through large bodies of knowledge in a practical, readable way.

His career reflects a lifelong interest in public learning: not just writing history, but organizing it so ordinary readers could use it well. He died on August 15, 1913, and remains remembered for bringing scholarship and reference work together in a clear, serviceable style.