Lynne Withey joined UC Press in 1986 and was appointed Director in 2002. She has played a major role in shaping editorial programs—acquiring books in history, music, Asian and Middle Eastern studies, and public health as well as launching UC Press's electronic publishing program. In 2005–06, she served as President of the Association of American University Presses. A historian and author, Withey holds an A.B. from Smith College and a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley. She has taught at UC Berkeley, University of Iowa, and Boston University and is the author of four books, including the reissued Dearest Friend: A Life of Abigail Adams (Simon & Schuster, 2001) and Voyages of Discovery: Captain Cook and British Exploration of the Pacific (Morrow, 1987). Prior to joining UC Press, she worked in the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs in the University of California's statewide administration.