Barbara Mertz was born on September 29, 1927, in Illinois. From an early age, she showed a keen interest in history and archaeology, which would later shape her career as a writer. After graduating from high school, she went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Egyptology from the prestigious University of Chicago.
After completing her doctoral studies, Mertz published her first nonfiction book, Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs, in 1964. This book was well-received by critics and established her as a respected Egyptologist. Two years later, she tried her hand at fiction writing and published her first novel, The Master of Blacktower.
Under the pen name Elizabeth Peters, Mertz gained fame for her Amelia Peabody, Vicky Bliss, and Jacqueline Kirby adventure and mystery series. She also wrote under the pseudonym Barbara Michaels, penning the Someone in the House Series and the Georgetown Trilogy. Throughout her career, Mertz's novels won numerous awards, including the Agatha and Anthony Awards.
Aside from her fiction writing, Mertz also authored several acclaimed nonfiction works. Among them were Amelia Peabody's Egypt: A Compendium and Two Thousand Years in Rome. These books showcased her deep knowledge of history and archaeology and further solidified her reputation as a versatile writer.
Barbara Mertz was a devoted mother to her two children, Elizabeth and Peter. She adored her family and incorporated their names into her Elizabeth Peters pen name. Mertz was known for her warm personality and generous spirit, traits that endeared her to friends and fans alike.
In her later years, Mertz settled in Maryland, where she continued to write and research. Despite facing health challenges, she remained dedicated to her craft, producing new books and captivating readers with her storytelling prowess. Mertz's impact on the literary world and the field of Egyptology remains enduring and profound.
Barbara Mertz's legacy lives on through her captivating novels and insightful nonfiction works. Her contributions to the genres of mystery, thriller, and Gothic fiction have earned her a lasting place in literary history. Fans around the world continue to be enthralled by her stories and inspired by her passion for history and archaeology.
Barbara Mertz's talents extended beyond writing, as she also dabbled in the world of television. Actress Barbara Stanwyck starred in a television movie based on Mertz's 1968 novel, Ammie Come Home. This adaptation brought Mertz's captivating storytelling to a wider audience and further solidified her reputation as a master of mystery and suspense.