Brander Matthews

Born in New Orleans in 1852, Brander Matthews became one of the best-known American literary figures of his time. He studied at Columbia, trained in law, but turned to writing instead, building a career as an essayist, novelist, critic, and teacher.

Matthews is especially remembered as a pioneer in the academic study of drama. At Columbia University, he became the first full-time professor of dramatic literature in the United States, helping establish theater as a subject worthy of serious scholarship. He also wrote widely on fiction, the stage, and city life, and produced more than thirty books.

For listeners meeting him through older essays or stories, Matthews stands out for his range: he was equally at home discussing playwrights, shaping literary criticism, and observing everyday urban life. That mix of scholarship and readability helped keep his work accessible beyond the classroom.