Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek (July 17, 1990 – June 22, 2004), known as Mattie J.T. Stepanek, was an American author and motivational speaker. He published seven books of poetry and essays on peace, several of which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list before his death at the age of 13. He wanted to be remembered as "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played."
