馬修‧阿諾德

About the Author

Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), the eminent Victorian poet, critic, and educator, was born in Laleham, England, to a family of scholars. Educated at Rugby School and Balliol College, Oxford, he became a prominent figure in 19th-century intellectual circles, serving as Professor of Poetry at Oxford from 1857 to 1867. Arnold's writings profoundly influenced cultural and social discourse, advocating for the role of culture in countering the 'anarchy' of modern industrial society. His seminal essays, including those in Culture and Anarchy, explore the tensions between individualism and state intervention, while his poetry, such as 'Dover Beach' and 'The Scholar-Gypsy,' reflects a melancholic Romanticism. A civil servant in education, Arnold traveled extensively, critiquing American democracy and European trends. His legacy endures as a defender of humane letters against materialism, shaping debates on education, religion, and national identity.