Kelly McMichael was born in Texas in 1969 and grew up in Midlothian, a farming community 20 miles south of Dallas. She attended Texas A&M University, earning a B.A. in U.S. History and English. She then completed a M.A. at Baylor University in American Studies and a Ph.D. at the University of North Texas in U.S. History. Kelly is married and has two children, two dogs, and a cat. She likes to garden, walk/hike, read, and listen to live music. She likes to travel and is especially fond of Treasure Beach on Jamaica’s south coast.