Andrew Anglin was born on July 27, 1984, and grew up near Columbus, Ohio.[7][8] According to both Anglin and his childhood classmates, he was liberal as a youth.[8][9] He attended the Linworth Alternative Program and the Worthington Christian High School from 1999 to 2003, where he was remembered as a dreadlocked vegan.[10] His friends in high school report that his behavior changed during his sophomore year at Linworth, where he exhibited self-harming behavior, and began promoting conspiracy theories.[8] After high school, Anglin took classes at Columbus State Community College in 2003, and studied English at Ohio State University for one semester in 2004.[8][10]