Alfred Patrick grew up in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia, the setting for Clinch River Justice and his other books. He earned degrees at Bluefield College, Virginia Tech, and the University of Tennessee. After teaching at high school and collegiate levels in Virginia and Louisiana, he served as professor, department chair, and dean in the College of Business at Eastern Kentucky University, where he retired. He enjoys reading, traveling, gardening, and backpacking and has completed the Appalachian Trail, the John Muir Trail, and others. He lives in Richmond, Kentucky.
