Matthew Arnold 1988

Two essays, those of Ruth apRoberts and Bernard Beatty, discuss links between Arnold and other writers - George Sand and Byron (the bicentenary of whose birth coincided with the centenary of Arnold's death). Brian Neelist celebrates the allusiveness and wit of Arnold's polemical prose, while Philip Davis offers an appreciation of his 'gift' as a poet. Nicholas Shrimpton (co-editor with Miriam Allott of the new complete edition of Arnold's verse) traces the 'age's main movement of mind' reflected in Arnold's poetry, and Vincent Tollers assesses his life-long activities as a schools inspector and educational policy-maker. -- from back cover.