Drew Gilpin Faust is an American historian and academic known for her work on the American Civil War and the history of the South. She served as the 28th president of Harvard University from 2007 to 2018, making her the first woman to hold this position. Faust has authored several influential books, including "This Republic of Suffering," which explores the impact of death during the Civil War. Born on September 18, 1947, in New York City, Faust earned her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and her Ph.D. from University of Pennsylvania. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her contributions to historical scholarship and has received numerous awards for her work in education and leadership.