ARNOLD, Thomas, English scholar, headmaster of Rugby School and professor of modern history in the University of Oxford: b. Cowes, Isle of Wight, 13 June 1795; d. 12 June 1842. He received the elements of his education at Warminster, and at the age of 12 was removed to the public school at Winches ter. Having obtained a scholarship in Corpus Christi College, Oxford, he entered that col lege in his 16th year, and though naturally of a shy disposition soon became remarked for the boldness and independence of his views, and the ability, firmness and zeal with which he maintained them. In 1815 he was elected Fel low of Oriel College, and both in that year and 1817 obtained the chancellor's prize for Latin and English essays. His views had been early directed to the Church, hut some scruples as to signing the articles made him hesitate for a time. At length these scruples gave way be fore a more careful examination, and he took deacon's orders in 1818. In 1819 he settled at Laleham, near Staines, where he employed him self in preparing young men for the universi ties, and in 1820 married the sister of one of his earliest school and college friends, Tre venen Penrose. About this time a remarkable change appears to have come over him; his re ligious views became finally settled and his whole mind appears to have been wound up to a determination to use life diligently and earnestly for the best and holiest purposes. At Lalcham he had much leisure, which he em ploy6d partly in the cultivation of general lit erature, and partly in writing articles on Ro man history for the 'Encyclopedia Metropoli tana' and collecting materials for an edition of Thucydides, whose writings, as well as those of Aristotle,*had long been his favorites. In 1828, by the unanimous vote of the trustees, who were told on high authority that "he would change the face of education all through the public schools of England," he was ap pointed headmaster of Rugby School and de voted himself to his new duties with the great est ardor. While giving due prominence to
the classics he deprived them of their exclu siveness by introducing various other branches into his course, and was particularly careful that the education which he furnished should be in the highest sense moral and Christian. His success was remarkable. Not only did Rugby School become crowded beyond any former precedent, but its pupils on removing to the universities carried off a very large pro portion of prizes, and the superiority of Dr. Arnold's system became so generally recog nized that it may be justly said to have done much for the general improvement of the pub lic schools of England. In his position as a director of the London University he zealously endeavored to extend the benefits of a lite rary and scientific education to all classes and creeds without excluding religion; but failing in his efforts to make examination in the Scriptures requisite to obtain a degree, re signed his office. In 1841 he was appointed professor of modern history at Oxford, and delivered his introductory course of lectures with great success. The works by which Dr. Arnold will continue to be best known are his edition of Thucydides, his 'Roman History,' unhappily left unfinished, and his 'Sermons,' most of them prepared for his own chapel at Rugby, and so admirably adapted to the cir cumstances of the youths who formed the greater part of his audience, that, though writ ten hastily and at broken intervals snatched from other labors, they are justly held to be models in their kind. Consult Stanley, A. P., 'Life and Correspondence of Thomas Arnold' (Boston 1860) ; Worboise, 'Life of Dr. Thomas Arnold' (London 1859); Fitch, 'Thomas and Matthew Arnold' (New York 1897) ; Hughes, 'Tom Brown's School Days' (London 1857). Also biographies in German by Wittig (Han over 1884) and Zinzow (Stettin 1869).