John R. Holmes grew up in western New York and studied at St. Bonaventure and Kent State Universities. Since 1985, he has taught English at Franciscan University of Steubenville. His fascination with Steubenville's history began in 1991 when he was asked to portray the city's namesake, Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1730-1794). Dr. Holmes lives in Steubenville with his wife, Von, and sons Greg, Scott and Luke, and their Grandma McGeehan. Holmes's first book for The History Press, Remembering Steubenville: From Frontier Fort to Steel Valley, was published in 2009.
