"John W. May was born in Winthrop . . . and is the son of the late Hon. Seth May, who was for many years Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Maine. John W. is a graduate of Bowdoin College, class of 1852, and the first year after leaving college he was an instructor in Baltimore, Md., in what was styled Newton University. He then pursued legal studies with his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1855, and he has an office, and resides in Auburn. He has held the position of register in bankruptcy; is much liked by the members of the Androscoggin Bar for his genial characteristics, and at their request published a unique volume of legal and local reminiscences, in 1884, under the title, "Inside the Bar." This book contains verses of artistic merit, as well as humorous and rollicking lines, and is a very acceptable addition to the literature of Maine. Mr. May was married, in 1869, to Harriet Blaine, a daughter to Dr. H. L. K. Wiggin, of Auburn."

[George Bancroft Griffith (ed.), The Poets of Maine 372-376 (Portland, Maine: Elwell, Pickard & Co., 1888)]