Susan’s parents taught her at home for most of elementary and middle school, and all of high school. She entered college at seventeen as a Presidential Scholar and National Merit finalist, and finished her B.A. in five semesters with a major in English, a minor in Greek and a summer spent studying twentieth century theology as a Visiting Student at Oxford. She went on to earn a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, an M.A. in English language and literature at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and her Ph.D. in American Studies, with a major field in the history of American religion. She has been a member of the faculty at the College of William and Mary for fifteen years.

Susan’s most recent book for W. W. Norton, The History of the Medieval World: From the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade (2010) is the second in a four-volume series providing a narrative world history. Her other books include The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome (W W. Norton, 2007); The Well- Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had (W. W. Norton, 2003), is a guide to reading the classic works of fiction, poetry, history, autobiography, and drama. Norton also published the classic guide to home schooling The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home (with co-author Jessie Wise), now in its third edition.

Susan has written a four-volume world history series for children, The Story of the World, for Peace Hill Press. She is also the author of The Complete Writer and many other resources for parents and educators.

She has four home schooled children, ranging in age from fourth grade to post-high school. Her oldest son is a sophomore at the University of Virginia, where he is studying drama and cinematography. Her second son just graduated from high school and is currently taking his gap year.