Selected Poetry

Arnold Matthew

The great poet-critic of his age, Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) is now best remembered as a poet for "Dover Beath", "The Scholar Gypsy" and "Thyrsis". Beside these well-loved and widely anthologised poems, this book places a selection of other poems in many genres, revealing the scope of a great Victorian. His best, most durable life is invested in verse of a haunting and haunted wisdom. Arnold's love for his particular England and for his friends, his longing for stability and his religious doubt form the base note of much of his poetry.

Son of Dr Arnold, headmaster of Rugby School, Matthew Arnold was himself deeply involved in education, becoming an Inspector of Schools. His impact as a poet, critic and scholar was considerable. He was Professor of Poetry at Oxford from 1857 to 1867.

About the Author

An author who produced an equal volume of poetry and prose, Matthew Arnold was born in 1822 in the South of England. Much of his writing was formed of social and religious criticism – in it he would chastise and instruct the reader on the topical moral issues of his day.

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