title: Douglas Smith (writer)
text: # Douglas Smith (writer)
  
  Douglas Smith is an American writer, historian and translator best known for his books about the history of Russia.
  
  Smith was born and raised in Minnesota. After studying German and Russian at the University of Vermont, he earned a PhD in History from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has also worked for the US Department of State in the Soviet Union, and as a Russia analyst for Radio Free Europe.
  
  Smith lives in Seattle with his wife and their two children.
  
  