Limbert was in born in Washington, D.C., where he graduated from public school. He received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. all from Harvard University. His Ph.D. was in History and Middle Eastern Studies.

In the academic field, Limbert's positions have included: professor of political science at the U.S. Naval Academy (1981-84), Senior Fellow at Harvard University's Center for International Affairs (1991-92), Dean of the Foreign Service Institute's School of Language Studies, and an appointment as the Distinguished Professor of International Affairs in the departments of political science and history at the U.S. Naval Academy in August 2006.[1]

Limbert is currently a Distinguished Professor of International Affairs, U.S. Naval Academy.