Russell M. Lawson was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His first intellectual interest was in ancient Greek mythology, which led to a lifelong fascination with the history of the ancient Mediterranean. He matriculated at Oklahoma State University 1975--1979, majoring in history. From 1980--1982, he studied at OSU for a Master's degree in Ancient Mediterranean history. He earned a PhD in American history from the University of New Hampshire in 1987. He has taught at schools in New England, Oklahoma, and Ontario. Dr.

Lawson teaches and writes on the history of ideas. He has written eighteen books: nonfiction, fiction, reference. He is married, has three sons, and four rescue pups.