Peter Earle (born 1937) is a British historian specializing in 17th- and 18th-century economic, social, and maritime history. He is best known for his studies on piracy, early capitalism, and the lives of ordinary people during the early modern period. Earle served as a professor of history at the University of London, where he combined rigorous archival research with engaging narratives. His notable works include 'The Pirate Republic,' which explores the socio-economic roots of Caribbean piracy, and 'The Making of the English Working Class,' which examines the lives of the lower classes before industrialization. Earle's scholarship emphasizes the agency of marginalized groups and their roles in global trade and colonial expansion. His accessible writing style has made his works popular among both academics and general readers, though some critics note a tendency toward oversimplification. He remains an influential figure in social and maritime history.
