Enthralled with ocean liners and ocean liner memorabilia since 1985, J. Russell Willoughby has spent a good part of nearly three decades scouring junk shops, antique malls and yard sales. During that time he has managed to acquire over 12,000 items, including everything from menus, deck plans, brochures, postcards and photos to prints, models and furniture. An avid cruiser, he has sailed 43 times on various ocean liners and cruise ships to destinations around the world, including the famous New York to Southampton route.

He released his first book, Bremen and Europa - German Speed Queens of the Atlantic, in 2010 and, because of its popularity, an expanded, Deluxe Limited Edition is now available on blurb.com.

His second book, The KdF Fleet in historic photographs (also available on blurb.com), continues to receive rave reviews.

He lives in southeast Indiana, near Cincinnati, with his wife, Jill, their children, Amanda and Elliot.