Matt Herron

About the Author

Matt Herron is a distinguished photographer and author whose work has profoundly documented the social upheavals of mid-20th-century America. Born in 1931, Herron honed his craft amid the turbulent civil rights era, capturing the raw determination and resilience of activists through his lens. As a co-founder of the Southern Documentary Project, he traveled extensively across the South, producing images that not only chronicled pivotal moments but also humanized the struggle for equality. His book 'This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement' compiles these powerful visuals, offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of those who fought against segregation and injustice. Herron's contributions extend beyond photography; he has lectured widely and preserved archives that educate future generations on the enduring legacy of the movement. With a career spanning over six decades, Herron remains a vital voice in visual storytelling, emphasizing empathy and historical truth.