Matthew Arnold (24 December 1822 – 15 April 1888) was a British poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools.  Matthew Arnold frequently wrote on contemporary social issues, using his poetry to influence opinion.  He was also interested in issues of faith and religion, such as found in his most famous poem – Dover Beach.

Alfred Tennyson (1809 – 1892) was Poet Laureate of Great Britain during much of Queen Victoria’s reign and remains one of the most popular British poets. He is the most frequently quoted author in the Oxford Dictionary of quotations, such as “‘Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all”, “Theirs not to reason why, / Theirs but to do and die”