John Matthews was a versatile English physician and poet, also involved in local affairs and politics in Herefordshire.
Background
Baptised 30 October 1755, he was the only surviving child of William Matthews of Burton, in Linton, Herefordshire, who died 29 August 1799, by his wife Jane, daughter of Philip Hoskyns of Bernithen Court, Herefordshire, who died 20 May 1768.
Education
He matriculated from Merton College, Oxford, on 14 February 1772, and graduated Bachelor of Arts 1778, Master of Arts
Career
1779, Bachelor of Medicine 1781, and Doctor of Medicine 1782. On 30 September 1782 he was a candidate for the Royal College of Physicians, and a year later he became a fellowship From 20 April 1781 to his resignation in 1783 he was physician to Saint George"s Hospital, London, and in 1784 he delivered the Gulstonian lectures.
He moved back to acquired the estate of Clehonger, near Hereford, and built on it in 1788-1790 the mansion of Belmont, situated on the banks of the River Wye with extensive lawns and plantations.
Foreign the rest of his life he took a leading part in county affairs He acted as mayor of Hereford in 1793, and was senior alderman and magistrate for twenty years.
After a protracted illness he died at Belmont on 15 January 1826. A monument to his memory was placed in the south aisle of Clehonger Church.
Matthews married at Much Marcle, Herefordshire, on 9 November 1778, Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Arthur Ellis, who died 7 November 1823, aged 66.
Membership
2nd United Kingdom Parliament]
He was also colonel of the first regiment of Hereford militia, chairman of quarter sessions, and Member of Parliament for the county from 31 March 1803 to 1806.