Growing Old
Is it to lose the glory of the form,…
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) was an eminent English poet, critic, and cultural commentator during the Victorian era. Born in Laleham, Middlesex, he was the son of Thomas Arnold, the revered headmaster of Rugby School. Arnold was educated at Rugby and later at Balliol College, Oxford, where he distinguished himself as a scholar.
In 1847, Arnold embarked on a career in education, serving as a private secretary before being appointed an inspector of schools in 1851, a position he held for over three decades. His observations during these years deeply influenced his views on education and society. Arnold's poetry, marked by its elegiac tone and classical restraint, found critical acclaim, with works such as "Dover Beach" and "The Scholar-Gipsy" expressing the existential angst and disillusionment of the modern world.
Arnold also made substantial contributions to literary criticism, advocating famously for "high seriousness" and the disinterested pursuit of truth and beauty in literature. His critical works, including "Essays in Criticism" and "Culture and Anarchy," grappled with the cultural and social challenges of his time, promoting the idea of culture as a remedy for societal ills. Through his poetry, critical essays, and educational reforms, Matthew Arnold left an indelible mark on 19th-century thought, embodying the intellectual spirit of the Victorian age.