Jacob Piatt Dunn

author

Jacob Piatt Dunn

1855–1924

A lively Indiana historian and reform-minded journalist, he wrote with the curiosity of a scholar and the practical instincts of a newspaperman. His work helped preserve the history of Indianapolis and Indiana while also shaping public life in his own time.

1 Audiobook

The Word Hoosier; John Finley Indiana Historical Society Publications, Volume IV, Number 2

The Word Hoosier; John Finley Indiana Historical Society Publications, Volume IV, Number 2

by Jacob Piatt Dunn, Sarah A. Finley Wrigley

About the author

Born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1855, Jacob Piatt Dunn Jr. became known as a historian, journalist, lawyer, and political reformer. He studied at Earlham College and later earned a law degree from the University of Michigan, but his career ranged far beyond the courtroom.

Dunn wrote extensively about Indiana and Indianapolis, and he played a major role in strengthening the Indiana Historical Society, serving it for decades. He was also active in public affairs: he worked as a newspaper writer, supported ballot reform based on the Australian system, helped draft a new Indianapolis city charter, and advised leading Indiana politicians.

Alongside his history writing, Dunn took a serious interest in Native American language studies, especially the Miami language. That mix of civic engagement and careful research gives his work a distinctive feel: grounded in local history, but always alert to the people, politics, and cultures that shaped it.