Harry Elmer Barnes (1889-1968) was an American historian and sociologist known for his wide breadth of study and his passion for historical revisionism. Barnes was from Port Byron, New York and received his bachelor's degree from Syracuse University in 1913. While on campus, Barnes was a member of Beta Epsilon, a sociology honorary society, the Prohibition Club, Sociology Club, and the Historical Association. Barnes stayed at Syracuse University as an instructor in historical sociology for two years and received his master's degree at that time as well. He then became a lecturer in history at Columbia University and received his PhD there in 1918. Barnes spent the next few years teaching at different universities, such as Clark University, the University of Montana, and the University of Oregon.

At the beginning of his professional career, Barnes was well respected for his knowledge and expertise in both sociology and history. He wrote extensively on penology, political theory, world history, and social reform. Barnes entered the realm of historical revisionism after World War I, when he published articles and booklets claiming that Germany should not have accepted the blame for starting the war. These writings caused Barnes to be disparaged by some American and Western European historians but gained him much popularity with German sympathizers. Barnes disagreed with the American involvement in World War II and further destroyed his reputation by claiming that the Holocaust was exaggerated by the Israeli government to receive more money in reparations from Germany. Barnes then began to associate with other known Holocaust deniers like Paul Rassinier and David Hoggan.

By the end of his life, Barnes' reputation was such that he "[could]not publish books or articles in any effective way" and that no publishing houses would "reprint [his] good books now out of print."