Dr. Matthew S. May Ph.D.

About the Author

Dr. Matthew S. May Ph.D. is a distinguished scholar and historian specializing in the intersections of rhetoric, labor movements, and social critique in early 20th-century America. With a Ph.D. in Communication Studies, he has dedicated his career to uncovering the voices of marginalized groups, particularly through his meticulous research on the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). His seminal work, Soapbox Rebellion: The Hobo Orator Union and the Free Speech Fights of the Industrial Workers of the World, 1909-1916 (Rhetoric, Culture, and Social Critique), illuminates the radical oratory and free speech battles that shaped labor activism during a transformative era. May's scholarship bridges academic rigor with compelling narrative, offering fresh insights into how words fueled resistance against industrial oppression. As a professor and author, he continues to influence discussions on social justice and communicative power.