Matthew Arnold (24 December 1822 – 15 April 1888) was an English poet and
cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He was the son of
Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of
Rugby School, and brother to both
Tom Arnold, literary professor, and
William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator. Matthew Arnold has been characterised as a
sage writer, a type of writer who chastises and instructs the reader on contemporary social issues.