Barbara Louise Mertz was an American author who wrote under her own name as well as under the pseudonyms Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels. Born on September 29, 1927, she was best known for her mystery and suspense novels, including the Amelia Peabody book series.

In 1952, Mertz received a PhD in Egyptology from the University of Chicago. In the 1960s, she authored two books on ancient Egypt: Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs, a popular history of ancient Egypt; and Red Land, Black Land, which explores daily life in ancient Egypt. Both have remained in print ever since, with revised editions released in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Mertz was named Grand Master at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986 and by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar Awards in 1998. She lived in a historic farmhouse in Frederick, western Maryland until her death on August 8, 2013.