19th Century Cut Signature of British Poet and Son of Famed Headmaster of Rugby School, Member of Prominent Arnold Family

On offer is an original signature by an English poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. 

The signature is that of Matthew Arnold (1822-1888). Arnold 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.

Harold Bloom writes that "Whatever his achievement as a critic of literature, society or religion, his work as a poet may not merit the reputation it has continued to hold in the twentieth century. Arnold is, at his best, a very good, but highly derivative poet, unlike Tennyson, Browning, Hopkins, Swinburne and Rossetti, all of whom individualized their voices." 

The writer John Cowper Powys, an admirer, wrote that, "with the possible exception of Merope, Matthew Arnold's poetry is arresting from cover to cover – [he] is the great amateur of English poetry [he] always has the air of an ironic and urbane scholar chatting freely, perhaps a little indiscreetly, with his not very respectful pupils."

This signature is on a piece of cut paper measuring  2-1/4 x 7/8 inches. It demonstrates age toning and appears to have been taken from a letter. Date unknown. Condition is Good.