# Thomas Arnold

> English educator and historian, headmaster of Rugby School (1795-1842)

**Wikidata**: [Q887226](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q887226)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Arnold)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thomas-arnold

## Summary
Thomas Arnold was an English educator and historian who served as the headmaster of Rugby School from 1795 to 1842. He is best known for his significant contributions to the field of education and his role as a leading historical scholar in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

## Biography
- **Born**: June 13, 1795
- **Died**: June 12, 1842
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- **Education**: Winchester College; Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford
- **Known for**: Educational reform and historical scholarship as headmaster of Rugby School
- **Employer(s)**: Rugby School; University of Oxford
- **Field(s)**: Education, History, Pedagogy, Writing

## Contributions
Thomas Arnold is most distinguished for his leadership at Rugby School, a private school in Rugby, Warwickshire, England, where he served as headmaster. His tenure is noted for shaping the institution's direction during the 19th century. In the realm of academia, he held the position of Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford. He was succeeded in this chair by John Antony Cramer, an English classical scholar and geographer. Arnold's work extended to writing, where he produced literary works focusing on history and theology.

## FAQs
### What was Thomas Arnold's role at Rugby School?
Thomas Arnold served as the headmaster of Rugby School, a private school in Rugby, Warwickshire, England. His leadership defined the school's trajectory during the 19th century.

### Where was Thomas Arnold educated?
Thomas Arnold received his education at Winchester College and Corpus Christi College at the University of Oxford.

### What academic position did Thomas Arnold hold at the University of Oxford?
Thomas Arnold was a university teacher and served as the Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford.

### Who succeeded Thomas Arnold in his academic posts?
John Antony Cramer succeeded Thomas Arnold as the Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford following Arnold's death in 1842.

## Why They Matter
Thomas Arnold matters for his profound influence on the British educational system during the 19th century. As headmaster of Rugby School, he redefined the role of the public school headmaster, emphasizing moral as well as intellectual development. His work as a historian and his tenure as the Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford contributed significantly to the academic study of history in the United Kingdom. His career bridged the gap between secondary education and higher academic research, leaving a lasting legacy in both spheres.

## Notable For
- **Headmaster of Rugby School**: Led the institution during a transformative period.
- **Professor of Modern History**: Held a prestigious chair at the University of Oxford.
- **Historical Scholar**: Recognized as a prominent historian of his time.
- **Educational Reformer**: Credited with significant contributions to pedagogy and teaching methods.
- **Author**: Produced written works contributing to historical and theological literature.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Thomas Arnold was born on June 13, 1795, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. His formative education took place at Winchester College, a boarding school in Winchester, Hampshire, founded in 1382. Following his time there, he attended Corpus Christi College at the University of Oxford, a collegiate research university established in 1096. This educational background laid the foundation for his future career in both teaching and historical scholarship.

### Career at Rugby School
Arnold's most prominent professional role was serving as the headmaster of Rugby School. Rugby School, a private school located in Rugby, Warwickshire, England, was founded in 1567. During his tenure, Arnold was affiliated with the school's headquarters in Rugby. His leadership period is frequently cited as a turning point for the institution. He worked alongside a substantial staff; historical data indicates the school employed hundreds of individuals, reflecting the scale of the operation Arnold managed.

### Academic Career and Oxford Affiliation
In addition to his work in secondary education, Thomas Arnold was a significant figure at the University of Oxford. He was affiliated with Corpus Christi College, which had been founded in 1517. Arnold ascended to the position of Professor of Modern History (often referred to as the Regius Professor), a role that underscored his expertise as a historian. His connection to the university was deep, involving both his education and his employment as a university teacher.

### Succession and Legacy
Thomas Arnold's career concluded with his death on June 12, 1842. In the academic sphere, he was succeeded by John Antony Cramer (1793–1848), who took over Arnold's duties as a classical scholar and geographer. Arnold's life spanned a significant era of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, a sovereign state formed in 1801 through the Acts of Union. He lived through the entirety of this political entity's formative challenges and developments until his death in 1842.

### Identifiers and Recognition
Thomas Arnold is recorded in numerous academic and library databases, reflecting his historical significance. His identifiers include the Library of Congress authority number (n50001555), the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) ID 14778656, and the Wikidata item Q59185. He is also listed in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and various other biographical dictionaries, confirming his status as a notable historical figure.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Find a Grave
3. Integrated Authority File
4. The Peerage
5. Source
6. Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary
7. Library of the World's Best Literature
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. CiNii Research
11. SNAC
12. Babelio
13. Pedagogues and Psychologists of the World
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index1.html)
16. BBC Things
17. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
18. Enciclopedia Treccani
19. LIBRIS. 2008
20. Catalogo of the National Library of India