Doctoral Student in History
About
As an emerging social and legal historian of the early modern British Atlantic World, Matthew’s research examines how and why everyday individuals utilized judiciaries—especially equity courts—across the Empire. His work often revolves around questions related to the intersections between gender, race, status, and law as he combines legal records with other archival remnants to reveal the worlds people inhabited and navigated centuries ago.
Beyond his research, Matthew is committed to bridging the divide between academic research and what is taught in secondary education. Recognizing the significance of diverse representation in curricula, he strives to augment his work into helpful material for K-12 students and educators through his role in the Remedial Herstory Project, contributions to the American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education, and other such venues.
Publications:
“Teaching About Enslaved Women and the Law: The Freedom Suit of Elizabeth Key and Institution of Partus Sequitur Ventrem in Colonial Virginia.” Social Education (Lessons on Law), 88, no. 6 (November/December 2024): 386-390. https://www.socialstudies.org/social-education/88/6
“‘Let Your Women Hear Our Words’: Nanyehi’s Negotiations.” Matrix: A Journal for Matricultural Studies 3, no. 2 (May 2024): 60-93. https://doi.org/10.60676/k9d4sg81
