Matthew J. Friday was born and raised in Cheboygan, Michigan. He graduated with honors from Cheboygan Area High School in 2001 and from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, in 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History Cum Laude, and is presently continuing his education in the discipline. In addition to historical work, Matthew is a Fourth-Degree Knight of Columbus, a Phi Alpha Theta alumnus, and an avid numismatist. In his spare time he enjoys traveling and hiking.