John Matteson

About the Author

John Matteson is a distinguished literary scholar and biographer whose work illuminates the intricate lives of 19th-century American figures. A professor of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, he brings a keen analytical eye to the intersections of family, philosophy, and creativity in his narratives. Best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning biography Eden's Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father, Matteson explores the profound bond between the iconic author of Little Women and her transcendentalist father, Amos Bronson Alcott, revealing how their unconventional relationship shaped American literature and thought. His writing deftly blends rigorous research with empathetic storytelling, offering readers fresh insights into the human spirit behind enduring cultural legacies.