John Arthur Garraty was born on the 4th of July in 1920. He earned his undergraduate degree at Brooklyn College in 1941.
Garraty served in the United States Merchant Marine during that conflict. His specific role within that service was teaching swimming to sailors.
Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., the grandson of the subject, wrote footnotes for the book. These notes expressed disagreement with some of Garraty's interpretations and findings.
Garraty taught at Michigan State University for twelve years. He joined the History Department at Columbia University in 1959.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Garraty worked as a historical consultant on various film projects including the School House Rock children's television shorts. He ensured that the content presented to children was factually correct.
Garraty edited The Columbia History of the World in 1972. The Society of American Historians elected him as its president.