Matthew Arnold (1822-1888 / Middlesex / England)
Although remembered now for his elegantly argued critical essays, Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) began his career as a poet, winning early recognition as a student at the Rugby School where his father, Thomas Arnold, had earned national acclaim as a strict and innovative headmaster. Arnold also studied at Balliol College, Oxford University. In 1844, after completing his undergraduate degree at Oxford, he returned to Rugby as a teacher of classics. After marrying in 1851, Arnold began work as a government school inspector, a grueling position which nonetheless afforded him the opportunity to travel throughout England and the Continent. Throughout his thirty-five years in this position Arnold ... more »
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Popular Poems
- A Dream
- A Summer Night
- A Wish
- Absence
- Apollo Musagetes
- Austerity Of Poetry
- Bacchanalia
- Cadmus and Harmonia
- Consolation
- Desire
- Dover Beach
- East London
- Epilogue To Lessing's Laocooen
- From the Hymn of Empedocles
Quotations
more quotations »-
''Thou waitest for the spark from heaven!''
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), British poet, critic. The Scholar-Gipsy (l. 171). . . Selected Poems and Prose [Matthew Arnold]. Allot, Miriam, ed. (1... -
Light half-believers of our casual creeds,
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), British poet, critic. The Scholar-Gipsy, l. 172-5 (1853).
Who never deeply felt, nor clearly will'd,
Whose insight never has borne fruit in deeds,
Whose vague resolves never have been fulfill'd.... -
''Still nursing the unconquerable hope,
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), British poet, critic. The Scholar-Gipsy, st. 22 (1853).
Still clutching the inviolable shade.'' -
''each year we see
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), British poet, critic. The Scholar-Gipsy (l. 176-177). . . Selected Poems and Prose [Matthew Arnold]. Allot, Miriam, ed...
Breeds new beginnings, disappointments new;''
Comments about Matthew Arnold
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like his poetries and personality
Dover Beach is one of my favorite things to read and I think it's about a world
without Faith and God to trust. With God everything is possible. Jan 4-28-09
The poem like Dover Beach leads me to think that something happened to embitter the poet. Therefore I feel I should read more about him.
Daphne Grant