Ann Gilbert McDonald, Ph. D., is a writer and antiques dealer. Her first book, Evolution of the Night Lamp, appeared in 1979 followed by All About Weller, A History and Collector's Guide to Weller Pottery in 1989. Ann has written over one hundred articles for several publications including Antiques and Collecting Hobbies, The Antique Trader Weekly, Antique Week, The Rushlight, and Spinning Wheel. For The Trader, from 1981-1991, she wrote a Lighting Series, discussing old and new night lamps, pottery lamps, and fairy lamps. In 1994-1995, she developed a three-part series, "Student Lamps: Old or New?" for The Trader, followed by "The Lamp Patents of Charles F. Spencer," in July 2000. Her main focus is the kerosene night lamp, or miniature oil lamp, which she has studied since 1976.

Ann received her doctorate from George Washington University, her Master's degree from Cornell University, and taught literature at Marymount College in Arlington, Virginia, and later at Georgetown University. She became an antiques dealer in 1972, specializing today in out of print books on glass and lighting, and Weller pottery.