Sir Alfred Herbert Henry Matthews (25 July 1870 – c. 21 July 1958) was an English agriculturalist and politician.[1]
Matthews was born in Hanborough, Oxfordshire, the son of Alfred Thomas Matthews, a civil servant and journalist, and Elizabeth Townsend.[2] He was educated at College House School, Edmonton.[1]
Matthews became the Secretary of the Central Chamber of Agriculture in 1901 and continued in this role until 1927.[3] 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.[4]
Matthews was President of the Institute of Traffic Administration[5] and also President of the Industrial Transport Association.[6] Matthews was also a President of the Mansion Housing Association and a Chairman of Fraser Trust Ltd.[7] Matthews also sat on the Agricultural Committee of the British Science Guild.[8] 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."[9]
He was knighted in 1916.[1]
In 1900, Matthews married Ada Glover Mace (died 1948), daughter of William Glover Mace.[10] Following her death, he married secondly Alma Gordon, widow of Major Clisdal.[1]