In 1989, Matthew Dickerson earned his PhD in Computer Science at Cornell University where he also studied Old English Language and Literature. That same year (1988-89), he and his newlywed wife Deborah helped plant New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca. Since then, he has been a professor at Middlebury College in Vermont, the faculty advisor for the InterVarsity group there, and for twelve years the Director of the New England Young Writers Conference at Bread Loaf.

He has written several books and book chapters and taught numerous college classes on the writings of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R.Tolkien in particular, and on mythic and fantastic literature in general. He is an internationally known scholar on the works of J.R.R.Tolkien. His books in this area include Ents, Elves and Eriador: the Environmental Vision of J.R.R.Tolkien (with Jonathan Evans, 2006), Narnia and the Fields of Arbol: the Environmental Vision of C.S.Lewis (with David O’Hara, 2009), From Homer to Harry Potter: a Handbook of Myth and Fantasy (with David O’Hara, 2006) and most recently A Hobbit Journey: Discovering the Enchantment of J.R.R.Tolkien’s Middle-earth.

Claritas Conversations is a relaxed venue co-hosted with Chesterton House to hear professors and visiting speakers reflect on their vocation, and discuss the implications of Christian faith for all aspects of life and learning. Discussion is followed by refreshments.