Samuel was educated at the Wicklow Academy, where he was awarded several first places and composition prizes by the Irish Intermediate Education Board; at University College, Galway, where he held junior scholarships as an undergraduate and a senior scholarship in his final year, as well as being chairman of the College Debating Society and captain of the cricket and hockey teams; and at the National University of Ireland, where he graduated in 1913. He was then appointed resident at the Children’s Hospital, Temple-Street, Dublin. He was in practice at Wicklow when he volunteered for service with the R.A.M.C. on the outbreak of war and was sent to German East Africa. Weakened by several attacks of malaria and jaundice he fell victim to an attack of enteric fever. He died at Lindi, East Africa Samuel was the fourth son on the Rev S Matthews of Belgrave-Square, Dublin. He was unmarried.