Mathew Beard (July 9, 1870? – February 16, 1985) was an American supercentenarian claimant, farmer and claimed veteran of the Spanish–American War in 1898. Beard is verified to be the first person in history to become 114 years old, although the oldest living person at the time of Beard's death at age 114 years, 222 days was believed to be the now debunked Japaneseman Shigechiyo Izumi who claimed to be five years older and died over a year later, and the fourth-youngest of only seven verified men who have become at least 114 years old.