Barbara Hallowell was born on Oct. 13, 1924, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. She attended Swarthmore College from 1942 until 1946, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Hallowell went on to teach biology at a number of private schools in southeastern Pennsylvania until the birth of her children. Speaking of her many achievements, Hallowell has stated, "I am most proud of my children and their accomplishments." Her eagerness to share her experiences led to the writing of Cabin, A Mountain Adventure, as well as, Fern Finder: A Guide to Native Ferns of Central and Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada with her daughter, Anne Reich. She traveled widely with her husband Alban "Tom" Hallowell, most notably, making multiple trips to the arctic. The husband and wife team produced a very popular natural history and adventure travel lecture series based on their travels. Hallowell resides in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.