Robert M. (Bert) Dunkerly grew up traveling portions of the Braddock and Forbes Roads. One of the first historic sites he visited was Fort Necessity. In the process of researching this book, he has walked, biked or driven the entire length of the Braddock and Forbes Roads. He holds a degree in history from St. Vincent College and a master's degree in historic preservation from Middle Tennessee State University. He has worked at fourteen historic sites and written more than a dozen books. He is a past president of the Richmond Civil War Round Table and serves on the Preservation Commission for the American Revolution Round Table--Richmond. Dunkerly is currently a park ranger at Richmond National Battlefield Park.