Benjamin A. Most was an associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa at the time of his death in 1986. After receiving his doctorate from Indiana University, he taught at Brown University before moving to Iowa. Most distinguished himself as an expert in the study of war and international conflict, methodology, and research design and published in the area of comparative public policy, focusing primarily on Latin America. His work was presented in numerous articles and chapters appearing in the leading journals of the field.