I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma. I have three daughters, the youngest of whom is a rising senior at NC State University. I'm a widower. Prior to moving to North Carolina in 1987 I worked in New York City for the New York Shakespeare Festival as a sound technician.

I've been a member of the Department of History faculty at North Carolina State University for the past 25 years. When I was earning my doctorate at Duke U I was also teaching. My Ph.D. is in European history. I also teach moder...