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 characterized as a sage writer, a type of writer who chastises and instructs the reader on contemporary social issues.

Born	24 December 1822 Laleham, Middlesex, England
Died	15 April 1888 (aged 65) Liverpool, England
Occupation	Her majesty's inspector of schools
Nationality	British
Period	Victorian
Genre	Poetry; literary, social and religious criticism
Notable works	"Dover Beach", "The Scholar-Gipsy", "Thyrsis", Culture and Anarchy, Literature and Dogma