When you think of a British poet, you might think of a boring life with nothing interesting, but Matthew Arnold had a life that was unlike that of a ordinary British poet. Even as a child, his life was very fascinating. His family played a very inspiring role in his upbringing. Pushing him was the cause of his incredible achievements. Besides his many achievements, his works were also notable. Matthew Arnold was a young man with tons of literary inspiration around him; thanks to this, he was a great poet, as well as an excellent critic, which guided his life in a great direction during his life. Matthew Arnold's life as a child was very exciting. His family alone was more inspiring than one might think. “Matthew was the eldest son of the famous Thomas Arnold, who was appointed headmaster of the rugby school in 1828” (5). Arnold's mother was Mary Penrose Arnold. As they are a close-knit family, he and his eight other siblings all enjoy each other's company. He admired his older sister, his mother and, above all, his father. His father's influences were the most crucial for him because he was truly inspired by his father. “Arnold grew up under the scholarly influence of his father” (1). Arnold's life as a child was interesting. He grew up under the scholarly influence of his father. “As a child, Matthew Arnold was neither a dedicated nor distinguished student” (3). He was quite feisty and mischievous when he was a little boy. He showed little progress at school and was sent to his uncle's strict school in Laleham. Being sent to his uncle's school made him feel separated from his family and allowed him to get better grades so he could stay with his family. He was the kind of kid who really cared... middle of paper...... he chose what he loved to do, many of his works have all the passion he put into them. Exceptional works, like those of Matthew Arnold, are born from exceptional commitment, exceptional dedication, immense passions and a great love for what you do, whatever the job. Work CitedApplebee, Authur N. The Language of Literature. Evanston, III. : McDougal Littell, 2000. Kunits, Stanley. "Matthew Arnold: a biography". Victorianweb.org, 2006. Web. April 11, 2014. http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/arnold/bio.html.Magill, Frank N. History's Great Lives. Pasadena, California. : Salem Press, 1987. Volume 1. Print. Scott-Kilvert, Ian. British Writers. New York: Scribner, 1987. Volume 5. Print. Willey, Basil. “MatthewArnold.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. April 10, 2014. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/35785/Matthew-Arnold