Michael Calvin McGee
Encyclopedia
Michael Calvin McGee was an American rhetorical theorist, writer, and social critic.
The son of John Vester and Dorothy Eloise (Hicks) McGee, he spent his early years in Knoxville, Tennessee
. He graduated with a B.A. in Speech from Butler University
, where he was a champion debater. In 1967 he graduated with a M.A. in Rhetoric from Cornell University
.
In 1973 he married Lyda Eugenia Twitty. In 1974 he received his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa
, writing his dissertation "Edmund Burke
's Beautiful Life: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Rhetoric and Social Theory" under Donald C. Bryant. During his career, he taught at the University of Alabama
, the University of Memphis
, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison
. In 1979 he moved to Iowa City where he taught at the University of Iowa
.
McGee was one of the founders of the American Communication Association and a member of the National Communication Association
. In his last years he was very active in virtual rhetorical communities and on-line debates. McGee founded a website, (f)ragments (http://www.mcgees.net/fragments/) for rhetorical research, and created a virtual learning community.
The son of John Vester and Dorothy Eloise (Hicks) McGee, he spent his early years in Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
. He graduated with a B.A. in Speech from Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
, where he was a champion debater. In 1967 he graduated with a M.A. in Rhetoric from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
.
In 1973 he married Lyda Eugenia Twitty. In 1974 he received his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, writing his dissertation "Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke PC was an Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party....
's Beautiful Life: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Rhetoric and Social Theory" under Donald C. Bryant. During his career, he taught at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, the University of Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. In 1979 he moved to Iowa City where he taught at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
.
McGee was one of the founders of the American Communication Association and a member of the National Communication Association
National Communication Association
The National Communication Association is the largest national organization to promote communication scholarship and education. A non-profit organization that has over 8,000 educators, practitioners, and students who work and reside in every state and more than 20 countries...
. In his last years he was very active in virtual rhetorical communities and on-line debates. McGee founded a website, (f)ragments (http://www.mcgees.net/fragments/) for rhetorical research, and created a virtual learning community.