Elizabeth Peters also writes under the New York Times best-selling pseudonym Barbara Michaels. Her novels are often set against historical backdrops. She earned a Ph.D. in Egyptology at the University of Chicago. In 1986, Ms. Peters was named Grandmaster in the first annual Anthony Awards at Boucheron and has been a judge for the prestigious Edgar Awards given by the Mystery Writers of America. In 1990 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Hood College. Ms. Peters is the mother of two and grandmother of four. She lives in Frederick, Maryland, with six cats and two dogs.
Elizabeth Peters won the "The Grand Master Award in 1998" (Edgar) awarded by Mystery Writers of America.