Charles A. Beard was born on November 27, 1874 in Knightstown, Indiana. Best known for his work as a historian, Beard began his graduate studies at England's Oxford University in 1899 where he assisted in the founding of Ruskin Hall, which provided access to higher education at a reduced tuition rate. He returned to the United States in 1902 and in 1904 joined the faculty of Columbia University as a lecturer after completing his doctorate in history at the university that same year. Beard resigned from Columbia University in October 1917 and spent the rest of his career writing and selling history books, including textbooks, rather than seeking another academic appointment. In addition, he was active in the founding of the New School for Social Research (now known as The New School) in New York City's Greenwich Village and elected President of the American Political Science Association in 1926. Beard passed away on September 1, 1948 at the age of 73 and is buried in Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, New York.

Louis Domeratzky was born on September 10, 1881 in Rajgrod, Poland and immigrated with his family to the United States in 1897. Domeratzky is best known for his work as an economist with the United States Department of Commerce from the early to mid-twentieth century, advising many American politicians including President Herbert Hoover. He also wrote extensively about foreign trade and economies, including trade relations, practices, and restrictions, as well as economic policies and individual national economies. He lived in McLean, Virginia for much of his adult life and passed away on February 15, 1967 at the age of 86.