Thomas Arnold

Thomas Arnold (1795–1842) was an influential English educator and historian, best known as headmaster of Rugby School from 1828 to 1841, where he implemented reforms including the prefect system, emphasis on classical education, and moral development that transformed public schooling in England.[1][2][3] An early supporter of the Broad Church Anglican movement, he prioritized religious zeal and character building, later becoming Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford in 1841.[1][3] He was the father of poet Matthew Arnold and died suddenly at age 46.[3]