Stephen J. May

Stephen J. May was born in Toronto, Canada to English and Irish parents. He studied in Los Angeles and London, England and received his advanced degrees from California Sate University, Los Angeles. His interest in art and literature, particularly Renaissance and 19th century culture,led him to travel to many countries around the world. He is the biographer of Pulitzer prize winner,best selling author, and art collector James A. Michener. His two volume biography of Michener (A Writer's Journey and Michener's South Pacific)follows the famed author's many experiences internationally and offers a critical examination of his many novels. As a university professor and art historian, May has authored many journal articles as well as serving as guest curator at several celebrated art institutions. His most recent book, Voyage of the Slave Ship, examines the work of the great British painter JMW Turner, his involvement with the slave trade, and his subsequent painting that John Ruskin claimed was Turner's crowning achievement.