Thomas S. Matthews ’48

Tom Matthews died at his home in Cavendish, Suffolk, England, May 13, 1995, of a heart attack. He had been in poor health in recent years, following a stroke. This did not deter him from painting (left-handed) enchanting water colors and traveling, as well as making his way daily to his village by electric car to meet with friends.

Tom's Princeton connections, both town and gown, go back to 1824, His mother was Juliana Cuyler (whose three brothers, including Buzz '24, were Princeton graduates); her ancestor John Potter was a founder of Trinity Church and built Palmer House. His paternal grandfather was Bishop Paul Matthews Class of 1887: his father was Thomas S. '22.

A native of Princeton, Tom joined us by way of South Kent School (hockey captain) and a stint with the army in Europe, At Princeton, he played J.V. and club hockey, as well as 150-lb. football, sang in the Glee Club, was active in Intime, and was a member of Charter. He graduated cum laude in the special program in the humanities and won the Dickenson Prize.

Tom went on to read philosophy at New College, Oxford, for three years and earned his teaching certificate at Cambridge. Before turning to teaching, he raised pigs in Essex, England. Tom taught English literature in England and the U.S. until illness forced his retirement in 1989.

Tom was gifted musically. He played half a dozen instruments, including a mean jazz trumpet. He sang in the Oxford Bach choir.

To his widow, Anne; son Paul; and three brothers, John '51, Alexander, and Paul, the class extends its deepest sympathy.