David Mathews attended the public schools of Clarke County, Alabama. After graduating from the University of Alabama, he went on to Columbia University, where he earned a Ph.D. in American educational history. Matthews has been president of the University of Alabama and secretary of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. He is currently trustee and president of the Kettering Foundation. His other recent books are Politics for People: Finding a Responsible Public Voice and Is There a Public for Public Schools?