Charles Alvin Goodrum was born in Springfield, Virginia. He received degrees from Wichita University and Columbia University. Following graduation, he was hired by the Library of Congress and became the librarian of its Congressional Research Service. In ensuing years, he became the CRS's Director of Research, and later the Director of the Office of Planning and Development for the Library as a whole until retirement. He is the creator of 'Edward George', a retired librarian and amateur sleuth in Washington, D.C.