Herbert Matthews

Sir Alfred Herbert Henry Matthews (25 July 1870 – July 1958) was an English agriculturalist and politician.

Early life and education

Matthews was born in Hanborough, Oxfordshire, the son of Alfred Thomas Matthews, a civil servant and journalist, and Elizabeth Townsend. He was educated at College House School, Edmonton. In 1926, Matthews took a reduction in his salary of £120 to ensure that the finances of the Central Chamber remained stable, in return for a decrease in expenditure.

Matthews was President of the Institute of Traffic Administration and also President of the Industrial Transport Association. Matthews was also a President of the Mansion Housing Association and a Chairman of Fraser Trust Ltd. Matthews also sat on the Agricultural Committee of the British Science Guild. In Parliament, Lord Lloyd referenced Sir Herbert, saying "I need not tell your Lordships who Sir Herbert Matthews is or cite the value of his authority to you: it is well known."

He was knighted in 1916. Following her death, he married secondly Alma Gordon, widow of Major Clisdal.

Published works

Fifty Years of Agricultural Politics: Being the History of the Central Chamber of Agriculture (1915)