J. Calvitt Clarke III received his doctoral degree in Russian and Soviet history from the University of Maryland in College Park. Early in his career he spent significant time teaching aboard US Navy ships and at US military bases in Italy, Spain, and the Mediterranean, and once returned to the States, Dr. Clarke taught history for eighteen years at Jacksonville University in Florida. He retired as professor emeritus of history, and he has served on the board of directors for Children, Incorporated. Today Dr. Clarke lives in Lexington, Virginia, with his wife, Mariko Asakawa. Together they have a daughter, Tiffany.