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Referenced when discussing fighting at schools - the hosts compare the prize fighting scene to the famous fight scene in this Victorian novel, specifically mentioning 'Slugger Williams fights Tom' and noting that Thomas Hughes 'knew exactly what he was writing about'

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Referenced as an example of classic children's literature when comparing Nelson's story trajectory to 'so many great children's stories' about a young boy learning the ropes.

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Referenced as the original source of the character Flashman, described as 'the bully from Tom Brown's school days'

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Implied reference when comparing Byron at Harrow to 'Tom Brown' who stands up against bullying and for other boys

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Mentioned because Thomas Hughes's son-in-law, the Reverend Ernest Carter, was on the Titanic and led a hymn singing service in the second class cabins.

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Extensively discussed as the foundational Victorian school story published in 1857, template for Harry Potter and the school story genre

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Referenced when discussing the character Flashman, who originates as 'the bully from Tom Brown's school days' before becoming the protagonist of George MacDonald Fraser's series

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Discussed as the book that Baron de Coubertin became obsessed with, which influenced his vision for the modern Olympics. The hosts note that Coubertin confused the fictional account with reality, mistakenly believing Thomas Arnold emphasized sport and muscular Christianity at Rugby school.