James M. Vaughn, historian, researcher, historic preservation advocate, and retired Army officer, was born in Evansville, Indiana, and grew up in southern Indiana (Evansville and Princeton). He earned a BS (Finance), Butler University; MA (Business), Webster University; and an MA (Political Science), Ball State University. Vaughn is a member of the American Historical Association, a professional association for historians. He resides in Indianapolis with his family.