Born into a Navy family in Washington, D.C., Leslie Roy Carter lived all over the United States, as well as in Argentia, Newfoundland, while growing up.

After receiving a B.S. in Physics from the College of William and Mary, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. While serving as a naval officer, he earned an M.S.E.E. from the Naval Postgraduate School. His career as a surface line officer took him to many ports such as Pearl Harbor, Long Beach, San Diego, and Charleston, culminating in command of the Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate, U.S.S. Reid. He then switched to the acquisitions specialty, eventually becoming a major program manager before his retirement in 2002 with the rank of Captain.

He now works as a defense contractor in the Washington area. A private pilot and aircraft owner, he also serves in the Maryland Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He and his wife and co-author, Margaret L. Carter, are active in the Episcopal Church and have four sons, several grandchildren, a St. Bernard named Frodo, and assorted cats (one named Gandalf the Gray).