Dr. Matthew M. DeForrest is a Professor of English at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). His published works have appeared in Tolkien Studies, The Yeats Journal of Korea, The Yeats Annual, W. B. Yeats’s A Vision: Explications and Contexts, and the forthcoming 21st Century Yeats: Poet, Prophet, and Magus. His recent presentations include papers at the 2024, 2022, and 2019 International Yeats Society Conference in Ouro Preto, Mariana, Brazil; Seoul, South Korea; and Paris, France, respectively; the 2024 Carolina Moot Conference on literature and the fantastic in High Point, NC.
While at JCSU, DeForrest has managed and helped write over $2.6 million in public and private grants.
His other professional work includes editing, consulting, and game design.
In addition to his academic work, DeForrest has extensive leadership experience, having served as a trustee for three universities, as Acting Executive Director of Union County Community Action, Inc., as a dean and department chair, and on several civic and private boards.
He currently lives in Monroe, NC, USA with his wife, Dr. Taura S. Napier (Professor of English at Wingate University) and his daughter Edain.
Matthew currently serves the Board of Visitors as an At Large Member and as Chair.
