Jack Bales grew up in Aurora, Illinois. His lengthy career in librarianship included more than 40 years at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He has researched archives and historical societies nationwide and has published books, numerous articles, and essays for books, journals, magazines, literary encyclopedias, and newspapers. His many works include two books: "The Chicago Cub Shot for Love: A Showgirl’s Crime of Passion and the 1932 World Series" and "Before They Were the Cubs: The Early Years of Chicago’s First Professional Baseball Team."