Dominic A. Pacyga was born in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood and received his Ph.D. in history from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1981. While in college he worked as a livestock handler and security guard in the famous Union Stock Yards. He has authored, or co-authored, five books concerning Chicago's history, including "Polish Immigrants and Industrial Chicago." Pacyga has lectured widely on topics ranging from urban development, residential architecture, labor history, immigration, and racial and ethnic relations, and has appeared in both the local and national media. His latest book is "Chicago: A Biography."