Matthew McFall was born in the wondrous county of Essex, England. When he was four years old he received a magic set from his parents, triggering a life-long love of conjuring, puzzles, and games. He received a wide and quirky education at the Universities of Exeter, Oxford, and Nottingham. At Oxford he studied the writings of the Anglo-American author John Collier (1901-1980), renowned for dark and humorous short stories with twist endings. In recent years Matthew has been exploring the idea of wonder as a boon for learning, encouraging the construction of Cabinets of Curiosities and labyrinths, and seeking ways to help pupils, teachers, and families to investigate, construct, and share their visions of wonder. His hobbies include puzzle-making, scent, and entomology. His favourite colour is orange.