Ralph Matthews

Ralph Matthews is an English professor at Columbia International University who is passionate about helping students discover the beauty, depth, and lasting impact of literature. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the University of South Carolina after attending Ben Lippen School. Through his teaching, he encourages students to think critically, write with purpose, and engage thoughtfully with great works of literature from a biblical worldview.

Ralph’s academic interests include British literature, Anglo-American poetry, and the creative practice of writing poetry. He also has a deep appreciation for Japanese poetic forms, including haiku and senryu. His own poetry has been published in a variety of international literary journals. His desire as a teacher is to cultivate in students both a love of literature and a passion for writing that reflects gratitude for life and love for the Creator in whose image we are made.

Outside the classroom, Ralph enjoys spending time with his wife, Sara, and their three children, Helen, Laura, and Chip. He enjoys reading, writing, traditional arts and crafts, birdwatching, and long walks in the woods. He is an active member of Church of the Apostles in Columbia, South Carolina, where he has served on the vestry and taught children’s Sunday school classes.

Curriculum Vitae