Thomas McEvilley was born in Cincinnati on July 13, 1939. He received his B.A. from University of Cincinnati and his M.A. from the University of Washington. He then returned to Cincinnati, where he received a Ph.D. in classical philology. He held a strong interest in modern art, reinforced by the modern artists of his acquaintance. He was an expert in the fields of Greek and Indian culture, history of religion and philosophy, and art. He published several books (including the monumental The Shape of Ancient Thought.,