Editing Matthew Arnold (section)

==Early years==
He was the eldest son of Thomas Arnold and his wife Mary Penrose Arnold, born on 24 December 1822 at [[Laleham-on-Thames]], Middlesex.<ref name="ODNB">{{cite ODNB|id=679|first=Stefan|last=Collini|title=Arnold, Matthew}}</ref> [[John Keble]] stood as godfather to Matthew.

In 1828, Thomas Arnold was appointed Headmaster of [[Rugby School]], where the family took up residence, that year. From 1831, Arnold was tutored by his clerical uncle, John Buckland, in Laleham. In 1834, the Arnolds occupied a holiday home, Fox How, in the Lake District. There [[William Wordsworth]] was a neighbour and close friend.

In 1836, Arnold was sent to [[Winchester College]], but in 1837 he returned to Rugby School. He moved to the [[sixth form]] in 1838 and so came under the direct tutelage of his father. He wrote verse for a family magazine, and won school prizes. His prize poem, "Alaric at Rome", was printed at Rugby.

In November 1840, aged 17, Arnold matriculated at [[Balliol College, Oxford]], where in 1841 he won an open scholarship, graduating B.A. in 1844.<ref name="ODNB"/><ref>{{alox2|title=Arnold, Matthew (2)}}</ref> During his student years at Oxford, his friendship became stronger with [[Arthur Hugh Clough]], a Rugby pupil who had been one of his father's favourites. He attended [[John Henry Newman]]'s sermons at the [[University Church of St Mary the Virgin]] but did not join the Oxford Movement. After his father's death in 1842, Fox How became the family's permanent residence. His poem ''Cromwell'' won the 1843 [[Newdigate prize]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=p0gOAAAAIAAJ ''Cromwell: A Prize Poem, Recited in the Theatre, Oxford; June 28, 1843''] at Google Books</ref> He graduated in the following year with second class honours in ''[[Literae Humaniores]]''.

In 1845, after a short interlude of teaching at Rugby, Arnold was elected Fellow of [[Oriel College]], Oxford. In 1847, he became Private Secretary to [[Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne|Lord Lansdowne]], [[Lord President of the Council]]. In 1849, he published his first book of poetry, ''The Strayed Reveller''. In 1850 Wordsworth died; Arnold published his "Memorial Verses" on the older poet in Fraser's Magazine.