His principal work is Historische Entwicklung der heutigen Staatsverfassung des Deutschen Reichs (Historical development of the current constitution of the German Empire; 1786–'99).

Johann Stephan Pütter was born to a merchant from Iserlohn, with his mother coming from the Varnhagen family of pastors from the same town.

He received his only pre-university education at home from a local priest, learning Latin, ancient Greek, Hebrew, Chaldaean and Syriac and so almost becoming an orientalist.

In 1744 he habilitated at Marburg and in 1746 he was appointed associate professor of law at University of Göttingen, where he remained until his death, not least thanks to the advocacy and protection of David Georg Strube.

According to Achenwall, Pütter was established in 1743 as a member of the Masonic lodge named "Zu den drey Löwen" in Marburg.