The very revd. Theobald Mathew
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The very revd. Theobald Mathew
The very revd. Theobald Mathew. Print shows Theobald Mathew, half-length portrait, facing slightly left. Date c1874
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Media ID 7269825
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10601505
EDITORS COMMENTS
The Very Revd. Theobald Mathew (1790-1856): A Pioneer in Temperance Reform This evocative half-length portrait captures the essence of Theobald Mathew, a towering figure in the history of temperance reform in Ireland during the 19th century. The image, taken around 1874, depicts Mathew as a distinguished and earnest clergyman, dressed in the robes of his ecclesiastical office. His piercing gaze, framed by his thick, white beard and receding hairline, speaks of a man deeply committed to his cause. Born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1790, Mathew was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1814. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he became a convert to the temperance movement in the 1830s. Temperance was a social and moral crusade aimed at reducing the consumption of alcohol, which was seen as a major contributor to poverty, crime, and social unrest. Mathew's innovative approach to the issue involved personal intervention and public pledges, which proved to be highly effective. Mathew's temperance campaigns gained momentum in the 1830s and 1840s, and he became known as the "Apostle of Temperance." His most famous initiative was the "Pledge System," which involved individuals publicly pledging to abstain from alcohol. Mathew's rallies and meetings drew massive crowds, and his influence extended beyond Ireland to the United States and other parts of Europe. Despite facing opposition from the alcohol industry and some elements of the clergy, Mathew's efforts bore fruit. By the time of his death in 1856, the temperance movement had gained significant ground, and the pledge system continued to inspire people for generations. This portrait serves as a poignant reminder of Mathew's enduring legacy and the profound impact he had on Irish society and beyond.
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