Chris Matthews

Matthews in 2013, photo by Debby Wong/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Christopher John Matthews

Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Date of Birth: December 17, 1945

Ethnicity:
*father – English, Scottish, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish
*mother – Irish

Chris Matthews is an American political commentator, talk show host, and author. He was the host of the shows Hardball with Chris Matthews, from 1994 to 1996, 1997 to 1999, and 1999 to 2020, and The Chris Matthews Show, from 2002 to 2013.

He is the son of Mary Teresa (Shields) and Herbert C. “Herb” Matthews, a court reporter. His brother is politician Jim Matthews. Chris is married to Kathleen Matthews, with whom he has three children. Kathleen was Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, from 2017 to 2018, and was chief communications and public affairs officer for hotel company Marriott International.

Chris’s paternal grandfather was Robert Bruce Matthews (the son of Edward Matthews and Alice Henderson). Robert was born in Devonshire, England. Edward was born in Coryton, the son of Henry Matthews and Jane Cuming. Alice was born in London, the daughter of Robert Bruce Henderson, who was Scottish, from Dumfries, and of Augusta Feather, who was English.

Chris’s paternal grandmother was Matilda Jane Gardner (the daughter of John Gilmore and Jane Gardner). Matilda was born in Balleymoney, Antrim, North Ireland. John was the son of Lyle Gardner and Ann Neill.

Chris’s maternal grandfather was named Charles Patrick Shields. Charles was born in Pennsylvania, of Irish descent. His mother was born in England.

Chris’s maternal grandmother was Mary Veronica Conroy (the daughter of Daniel Conroy and Mary Quinlan). Chris’s grandmother Mary was born in Pennsylvania, to Irish parents.

Sources: Genealogy of Chris Matthews – https://www.geni.com

Chris’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org