Samuel Matthews

Samuel Matthews (died 1802) better known as the Dulwich Hermit was an 18th-century London hermit, famous for his unresolved 1802 murder. Biography Matthews was born in south Wales about 1733, and came to Dulwich in 1772, being employed as a gardener. He was described as having led a happy domestic life - living with his wife and four children. Upon the death of his wife in about 1775, he is said to have entered a deep melancholy and have withdrawn from civilization. He solicited and obtained permission from the master and Wardens of Dulwich college to dig cave in Dulwich Wood and erect a hut over it. He went on to live 23 years at the dwelling. He was visited regularly by locals who dubbed him as the Wild Man of the Wood and described him as quiet, friendly and learned man - quite apart from his savage and dirty surroundings. He was often annoyed by mischievous boys and fellows who would steal provisions and throw stones at him. At around 1798, he was beaten by some local Gypsy boys, who broke him arm and robbed him of 12 shillings. While under cure, he became disgusted with his old habitation, and left to spend a year and a half with his son in Wales.