John T. Cumbler earned his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in 1974 and joined the faculty in 1975.  His fields of specialization are United States Environmental History and Economic History. The most recent of his six books is From Abolition to Rights for All (2007). In 2002 UofL recognized him with its Distinguished Teaching Award. In 2008 he was the John Adams' Distinguished Fulbright Professor in the Netherlands. Dr. Cumbler was the University of Louisville Distinguished Research Professor in 2009.  In 2011 he received the University Trustee Award.

On phased retirement, Dr. Cumbler splits his time between Louisville and Cape Cod Massachusetts.  He is a trained and certified rescuer of  large marine mammals and sea turtles.