William Baxter was born in Wales in the year
1650. In his eighteenth year he was sent to Harrow School,
when he could speak no other language but Welsh; he, however,
soon acquired English, and triumphantly overcame all these
disadvantages, and at the age of twenty-nine he commenced author,
with the publication of his “Analogia Linguæ
Latinæ.” He afterwards was appointed master of
the Mercer’s School, in London. He soon made himself
known as an excellent philologist and antiquary, by several
learned works, and more particularly his Horace and his
Dictionary of British Antiquities, entitled “Glossarium
Antiquitatum Britannicarum,” in which he attempted, from
his knowledge of the British language, to determine geography by
etymology. He died in 1723.
Lewis
Bayly, an eminent prelate, was a native of Caermarthen, and
studied at Oxford. He was appointed chaplain to Henry
Prince of Wales, son of James the First, to whom he dedicated a
religious work, entitled the “Practice of Piety,”
which has passed through a vast number of editions. He was
rector of St. Matthew’s church, in London, and afterwards
bishop of Bangor; and died in 1631. His son,
Thomas Bayly was educated for the church at Cambridge;
and during the civil war he resided at Ragland Castle, as
chaplain to the Marquis of Worcester; after the surrender of
which he travelled on the Continent; and on his return to England
he published his “Certamen Religiosum, or a Conference
between King Charles the First and Marquis of Worcester,
concerning religion, in Ragland Castle, Anno 1646,” which
he is supposed to have written to justify his embracing the Roman
Catholic religion. He also published the “Royal
Charter granted to Kings,” for which he was committed to
Newgate. He also published another work, entitled
“Herba parietis.” Having made his escape from
prison, he died in France in 1659.
Morris Clynog was a native of Caernarvonshire, and was
educated at Cambridge, where he graduated L.L.B. He was
appointed rector of Corwen sinecure in 1556, and became a
prebendary of York, and an officer in the Prerogative Court,
under Cardinal Pole, archbishop of Canterbury, and he was nominated to succeed
Dr. William Glynn in the bishopric of Bangor; but the queen dying
before he was consecrated, he fled beyond sea, and going to Rome
he became, some years after, the first rector of the English
hospital there, after it was converted into a college for English
students, where he became much noted for his partiality to his
countrymen of Wales, which always caused a great faction between
the Welsh and English students resident there.
Thomas Coke, the eminent missionary, was the son of a
surgeon at Brecon, in South Wales, where he was born in the year
1747. He was educated at the College school at that town,
and in due time he was entered a Gentleman Commoner of Jesus
College, Oxford. He took the degree of L.L.D. in 1775; and
becoming acquainted with Wesley, he supported his opinions with
great zeal. He commenced his labours as a missionary in
North America in 1784, where he remained for several years in
great popularity with the Methodists; but his advocating the
cause of the negroes, and his opposition to the inhuman traffic
in slaves, brought upon him the indignation of the Americans, and
he was obliged to leave the country with precipitancy, and it was
with great difficulty that he escaped to England. He
afterwards made nine voyages as a missionary to the West Indies
with great success, which must be attributed to his pious zeal and learning,
which he has left several works to prove. His character has
always been greatly extolled for the judgment which he exhibited
in very trying periods, and for the amiableness of his
disposition. He died on his voyage to the East Indies in
1814.
Francis Davies, D.D., an eminent and pious prelate, was
a native of Wales, and was born in the year 1604. After an
academical education, he entered the church; he received various
preferment, and in 1660 he was appointed archdeacon of
Llandaff. In 1667 he was raised to the bishopric of the
same diocese; and died in 1674.
John Davies, D.D., the celebrated Welsh antiquary and
learned divine, was born at Llanverras, in Denbighshire, and was
educated at Ruthin School, under Bishop Parry. He was
entered at Jesus College, Oxford, in 1589, where he
graduated. In 1608, he removed to Lincoln College, and took
his Doctor’s degree in 1616. Having been appointed
chaplain to Bishop Parry, he was made canon of St. Asaph by him;
and in 1604, he was presented to the rectory of Mallwyd, and
subsequently to those of Llan yn Mowddy and Darowen; and in 1617
to the prebend of Llannfydd, and subsequently to Llanvor
sinecure. His character was held in high estimation in
Oxford for his proficiency in the Greek and Hebrew languages: a most exact
critic, and an indefatigable searcher of antiquities. His
celebrated works are “Antiquæ Linguæ
Britannicæ Rudimenta,” 8vo., 1621, and
“Dictionarium Britannico-Latinum, and
Latino-Britannicum,” which was published in London, 1632,
folio. At the end of his dictionary is a good collection of
Welsh proverbs. He died in May, 1644, and was buried in the
church of Mallwydd, Meirionethshire.
Miles Davies was a native of Whitford, near Holywell,
in Flintshire. He was originally intended for the church,
but from some unknown cause he left his native country, and went
to London, where he subscribed himself barrister at law.
Here he commenced author, and published three volumes of his
“Athenæ Britannicæ,” in 1715, which
contain much curious and valuable knowledge. Very little is
now known of his history, but he is supposed to have been
unfortunate in his later career as a literary character. It
is uncertain when his death took place.
Richard Davies, D.D., was the son of David ap Gronw,
and was born in Denbighshire, and educated at New Inn Hall,
Oxford. Having entered the church, he became vicar of
Burnham, and rector of Maids-morton, Buckinghamshire, which
preferment he was deprived of in Queen Mary’s reign, for
being married; and he consequently retired to the
Continent. On the accession of Queen Elizabeth he returned
home, and was raised by her to the bishopric of St. Asaph, in 1559,
from whence he was translated to the see of St. David’s in
1561. This eminent prelate was a man of great learning, and
he was employed, with others, in translating the Bible into
English, and he translated all from the beginning of Joshua to
the end of Samuel. He also translated part of the New
Testament into Welsh, particularly some of the Epistles. He
published also some other works. He died at the Episcopal
Palace of Abergwyli, Caermarthenshire, in 1581.
Thomas Davies, D.D., Bishop of St. Asaph, was a native
of Llanbeder, near Aberconwy, Caernarvonshire, where he was born
about the year 1515. He received his academical education
at St. John’s College, Cambridge. He became rector of
his native parish, and was also made archdeacon of St. Asaph, and
chancellor of Bangor. In 1561 he was advanced to the
bishopric of St. Asaph, where he continued to his death, which
took place in 1573. He was a very pious and charitable
person, and founded a scholarship in Queen’s College,
Cambridge. He bequeathed also considerable sums of money
for other pious uses.
Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex, the father of the
unfortunate favourite of Queen Elizabeth, was born in
Caermarthenshire in the year 1540, and succeeded his grandfather
in the titles of Viscount Hereford and Lord Ferrers. His
joining the Earl of Lincoln with a body of troops against the rebels who
rose in the North, recommended him to the favour of Queen
Elizabeth, who created him Earl of Essex in 1572, and made him a
Knight of the Garter. He was afterwards appointed governor
of Ulster in Ireland; and his death, which was supposed to have
been hastened by poison, by his enemy the Earl of Leicester, took
place in Dublin in 1576, leaving the character of a brave
soldier, loyal subject, and disinterested patriot.
David Dolben was born at Segrwyd, near Denbigh, in
1581. He was educated at St. John’s College,
Cambridge, where he proceeded regularly through his degrees to
that of doctor. He became a prebendary of St. Asaph, and
vicar of Hackney, in Middlesex; and in 1631 he was raised to the
bishopric of Bangor. He died two years after his promotion,
in London, and was buried in Hackney church.
William Edwards, one of the most wonderful examples of
self-taught genius, was a native of Glamorganshire, where he was
born at Eglwysilan, in 1719. At an early age he attracted
notice by the neatness of his workmanship, in building walls on
his father’s farm; and gradually he arrived at the building
of houses and larger structures. Having given great
satisfaction to all his employers, he undertook, in 1746, to
build a bridge over the river Tav, which was executed and greatly
admired; at the end of two years and a half it was destroyed
by a tremendous flood, which carried it away: he immediately
commenced a new one, which however was likewise a failure.
The third was completed in 1755, and remains a splendid monument
of his talent, and is one of the most beautiful in the world; its
span is 140 feet; and it exceeds the famed Rialto of Venice,
which was supposed to be the largest arch in the world, by 42
feet. He devised several important improvements in the art
of bridge building, and the success of his last bridge over the
Tav introduced him to public notice; and he was employed to build
numerous other bridges in South Wales. He died in
1789. It is rather singular that his son and grandson were
equally possessed of the same taste and architectural talent.
Thomas Edwards, better known by his familiar
appellation of Twm o’r Nant, was born at Nant, near
Denbigh, in the year 1739. He received but a poor education
in his youth, and was brought up to no regular trade, but worked
as a labourer; his genius however showed itself at an early age,
and he gave proofs of his Awen in the composition of a peculiar
species of dramatic writing, known in Wales by the name of
“Interludes,” which were very common there in the
last century. They appear to bear some analogy to the New
Comedy of the Athenians, where he satirizes living persons under
fictitious names; and although there are numerous examples of low
scurrility and satire, yet they abound with fine strokes of
genuine wit, and excellent poetry. He possessed a command
of language, and was a good writer when he pleased; a neat
specimen of which exists in his Autobiography, in Welsh. He
spent his life in various parts of Wales, in different
occupations, although he esteemed the acting of his Interludes
not the least profitable. He generally bore a part in the
exhibiting of his compositions, and gained considerable profit by
selling printed copies of them, which he hawked about the country
himself. Some of his poetry on various subjects has been
published, and two portraits of him. He was a man of great
muscular power; and he died in 1810, in the seventy-first year of
his age.
John Evans, D.D., was born at Wrexham, in Denbighshire,
in 1680. He was an eminent Dissenting divine, and graduated
both at Edinburgh and Aberdeen; he was the author of several most
excellent sermons on the Christian Temper, which have been
admired by divines of every denomination. He for some years
was the minister of the congregation of Independents in Petty
France, having succeeded Dr. Williams; he was also lecturer for
some time at Saddlers’ Hall; and he died of dropsy in
1732.
John Evans, D.D., was born in Llanarmon,
Denbighshire. He received his education at Jesus College,
Oxford,
where he proceeded through his degrees. Having taken
orders, he obtained the living of Llanaelhaiarn, in
Carnarvonshire, and in 1701 he was promoted to the bishopric of
Bangor, and he was translated thence to the bishopric of Meath,
in Ireland, in 1715.
Evan Evans, an eminent divine and poet, better known
among his countrymen by the bardic appellation of Ienan Brydydd
Hir, was born at Cynhawdrev in Cardiganshire, in the year
1730. He received his education at the grammar school of
Ystrad-meurug in the same county, whence he removed to Oxford,
and was entered at Merton College in 1751. After leaving
college he officiated as curate at several places; and applied
himself with great diligence to the cultivation of Welsh
literature, and employed his leisure time in transcribing ancient
manuscripts; for which purpose he visited most of the libraries
in Wales, where manuscripts were known to exist. In the
pursuit of his literary labours he for some time enjoyed the
patronage of Sir Watkin W. Wynne, and Dr. Warren, Bishop of
Bangor. He received an annuity of 20l. from Paul
Panton, Esq., of Plasgwyn, in Anglesea, on condition that all his
manuscripts should on his death become his property; and in
consequence, the whole collection, amounting to a hundred
volumes, was deposited in Plasgwyn Library, where they still
remain. He published two volumes of Welsh sermons, and was
the author of an English poem, entitled the “Love of our
Country;” but his chief work which ranked him high as an
antiquary and critic, was a volume of Welsh poems with Latin
translations, prefaced by a learned “Dissertatio de
Bardis.” The Welsh poems in this volume furnished
Gray with matter for some of his most beautiful poetry. Mr.
Evans was a man of excellent disposition, and great abilities as
a Welsh scholar, but for some reason he never obtained any
preferment in the church. He served in succession the
curacies of Towyn in Meirion, Llanberis, and Llanllechid in
Caernarvonshire. He died suddenly at the place of his
birth, in August, 1789.
Richard Fenton, well known as the author of a
“Historical Tour through Pembrokeshire;” was born in
Wales, and was for several years an eminent member of the Welsh
bar. He was also author of other works which were published
anonymously, of which “A Tour in search of
Genealogy,” and “The Memoirs of an Old Wig,”
were highly esteemed as works of great interest, and abounding in
wit and anecdote. He was a particular friend of Garrick,
Goldsmith, Glover, and other great wits of the day. He
translated also the works of Athenæus, which were never
published. He died at an advanced age in November,
1821.
John Gambold was born at Haverfordwest about the year
1706. He received a liberal education, and was entered at
Christ Church, Oxford, where he took his degree of Master of Arts
in 1734. He was presented to the living of Stanton Harcourt
by Archbishop Secker in 1738, which he resigned ten years after,
from motives of conscience, having become a convert to the
opinions of Zinzerdorf, an account of whose life and character he
published. He was appointed by the Moravians one of their
bishops, of whom he had become a distinguished member in
1754. While at Oxford, he was the author of a “Sacred
Drama,” which was published in 1740, on the subject of the
martyrdom of Saint Ignatius; and he superintended an edition of
the Greek Testament at the Clarendon press; he translated also a
History of Greenland from the Dutch, besides several sermons and
other productions. He was a man of blameless morals, deep
erudition, and sincere piety; and he was greatly beloved for the
amiableness of his manners. He died at Haverfordwest in
1771. He was author of a “Welsh Grammar,” and
an able critic in the language.
William Glynn, D.D., was born in 1504, at Malltraeth in
Anglesea, and educated at Cambridge, where he became Master of
Queen’s College. In 1549, he was presented to the
living of St. Martin’s-le-grand, London; and in 1551 he was
made rector of his native parish of Heneglwys, and in 1555 he was
promoted to the episcopal see of Bangor, where he died in 1558,
in the
fifty-fourth year of his age. Fuller, in his Worthies of
Wales, gives a high character of this excellent bishop; and he
was a man of great natural abilities and learning, and strictly
attentive to the duties of his high station.
Edmund Griffith, D.D., was a native of Lleyn in
Caernarvonshire, where he was born in 1570. He was educated
at Brazen-nose College, Oxford, whence he removed to Jesus
College, where he graduated. In 1599, he obtained the
rectory of Llandwrog, and the following year he was made canon of
Bangor; and after other preferments he was made dean of the same
diocese in 1613, and he was promoted to the bishopric in
1633. His death took place in the year 1637.
Elizabeth Griffith, who has distinguished herself in
the literary world by several productions, was a native of Wales;
she married an Irish gentleman of the name of Richard Griffith,
and little is known of her except her works. She first
published “Letters of Henry and Frances,” which is
supposed to contain the genuine correspondence of herself and her
husband before, and for some time after their marriage. She
was the author of several dramas, novels, and several other
productions, which obtained various success. She died in
1793.
George Griffith, D.D., was born at Penrhyn,
Caernarvonshire, in 1601. He was educated at Westminster School, from
whence he was elected student of Christ Church, Oxford, in 1619,
where he became an eminent tutor and preacher. He was
appointed chaplain to Bishop John Owens, and was by him presented
to the rectory of Llanvechain, Montgomeryshire, which he
subsequently left for Llanymynech, and he also had the rectory of
Llandrinio. In 1631, he was made a canon of St.
Asaph. On the commencement of the civil war, he lost his
preferment on account of his attachment to the royal cause, to
which he rendered good service; but on the Restoration he was
rewarded, and raised to the bishopric of St. Asaph. In a
convocation of the clergy in 1662, he was an active member in
drawing up the Act of Uniformity, and making several alterations
in the Liturgy; and he is supposed to have written the form for
the baptism of those of riper years. He was also author of
some Plain Discourses on the Lord’s Supper. He died
in 1666.
John Gwillim was born of an ancient Welsh family in
Herefordshire, in 1565. He was educated at Brazen-nose
College, Oxford, and became a member of the Herald’s
College, London, in which he obtained the appointment of Rouge
Croix Pursuivant, in 1617, which was owing to the appearance of
his famous work, the “Display of Heraldry,” which
first appeared in 1610, and has since gone through several other
editions. His death took place in 1621.
Matthew Gwinne, M.D., was an eminent physician,
and was the first professor of medicine on Sir Thomas
Gresham’s foundation. The exact year of his birth is
uncertain, but he was born in London of Welsh parents; and he
received his education at Merchant Tailors’ School, whence
he removed to St. John’s, Oxford, of which college he
became a fellow. He composed a Masque, which recommended
him to King James the First, before whom it was performed in
Oxford; and he rose higher in that monarch’s favour by an
essay which he wrote against tobacco. He was the author of
various other poems and prose works. He died in 1627.
John Hanmer, a member of the ancient family of the same
name, living at Hanmer, in Flintshire, was educated at the
University of Oxford, where he obtained a fellowship in All Souls
College. He subsequently became a prebendary of Worcester,
and rector of Bingham, Nottinghamshire. He was appointed
chaplain to King James the First, who nominated him bishop of St.
Asaph in 1623. He died at Pentre-pont, near Oswestry, in
1629; and bequeathed several sums of money for charitable
purposes.
Sir Thomas Hanmer, Baronet, was born in 1676, and
succeeded to the title and estates of his uncle Sir John Hanmer,
in Flintshire. He was educated at Westminster School, and
Christ Church, Oxford. He commenced his parliamentary
career in the representation of the county of Suffolk; and in
1713, he was elected speaker of the House of Commons, which
honourable office he held until the end of his parliamentary
life, which from its commencement lasted upwards of thirty
years. He then withdrew altogether from public life, and
turned his attention to literature; he published an elegant
edition of Shakspeare in six volumes, quarto, which was printed
at Oxford in 1744; and he liberally presented the copyright to
the University. He died at his seat in Suffolk in 1746.
Howell Harris was born at Trevecka, in Brecknockshire,
in 1714. His parents were in humble circumstances, but they
contrived to give him a classical education, and kept him at
school until he was eighteen, when his father dying, he was
obliged to support himself by giving instruction to a few boys in
the neighbourhood, intending at a proper time to enter the
established church. In 1735, he went to Oxford, and was
entered at St. Mary Hall, where he did not remain to complete his
studies. In 1739, he began to traverse Wales, preaching in
the open fields and streets according to the tenets which
Whitfield was spreading in England, and gaining numerous converts
every day. The sect which he introduced is still very great
in Wales, and after spending seventeen years in spreading his
doctrine, he came to reside permanently at his native town of
Trevecka. After an active life, he died in the year
1773.
John
ap Henry was born in Wales in 1559, and was a celebrated
character at that period, better known by his assumed title of
Martin Marprelate. He was entered at Peterhouse, Cambridge,
where he took the degree of B.A. in 1584; he afterwards removed
to Oxford, where he graduated M.A.; he preached frequently in
both Universities, and gained great reputation, and he afterwards
became a notorious Puritan. His embracing the principles of
the Brownists, rendered him obnoxious to a vindictive government,
to the cruelty of which he afterwards fell a victim. He was
prosecuted for some libellous pamphlets which could not be proved
against him; and afterwards he was most illegally tried and
condemned on a charge of denying the sovereign’s authority,
for which he was accordingly executed. He was a man of
great talent and learning, but his productions are chiefly
political tracts which related to that period.
Matthew Henry was the son of Philip Henry, an eminent
Nonconformist, and he was born at Broad Oak, in Flintshire, in
the year 1663. He was early instructed by his father in the
Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, in which he made great
proficiency, and being originally intended for the bar, he was
entered at Gray’s Inn; but his great predilection for
divinity induced him to leave that profession, and for
twenty-five years he was the zealous pastor of a Dissenting congregation
in Chester. In 1702, he removed to Hackney, where he paid
the most sedulous attention to the duties of his ministry; he
remained there until his death, which took place in 1714, of a
stroke of apoplexy. His numerous works are a proof of his
deep learning, and he enjoyed great popularity both as an author
and a preacher; his chief work is an Exposition of the Bible, in
five volumes, folio, which has gone through numerous
editions.
Edward Herbert, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, eminent for
his character and writings, was the son of Richard Herbert, Esq.,
of a very ancient family, and was born at Montgomery Castle, in
North Wales, in 1581. His proficiency was so great in his
early education that he was entered at University College,
Oxford, at the age of twelve. In 1600, he came to London,
and being introduced at court, he became a Knight of the Bath
soon after the accession of James the First. After spending
his time in visiting various courts of Europe, and serving for
some time under the Prince of Orange in the Low Countries, in
1614, he was sent on an embassy to the court of France; and
having been recalled, he was sent ambassador a second time, and
while there he printed at Paris his famous book “De
veritate prout distinguitur a Revelatione.” In 1625,
he returned home, and was created an Irish Peer, and afterwards
an English Baron. He afterwards retired from public life, and upon
the breaking out of the civil war, he joined the parliamentary
party, but he soon quitted it, and joined the royal cause, and
consequently he was a great sufferer in his estate. He died
in London, in 1648, and was buried in St.
Giles’s-in-the-fields. He wrote the Memoirs of his
own Life, which were not published until the year 1764, by Lord
Oxford. The character of this distinguished nobleman was
brave, generous, and disinterested.
George Herbert, younger brother of Lord Herbert,
distinguished himself as a poet and divine; he also was born at
Montgomery Castle, in 1593. He was educated at Westminster
School, and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained a
fellowship; and in 1619, he was chosen public orator.
Having taken orders, he applied himself with great assiduity to
the duties of his profession, and the first benefice which he
received was a prebend in the diocese of Lincoln, and the parish
church connected with it was rebuilt mostly at his own
expense. He subsequently obtained the rectory of Bemerton,
near Salisbury. His death took place in February,
1633. He published the “Country Parson,” and he
was the author of the “Temple,” which contains poems
on sacred subjects, besides other minor pieces.
James Howel, the author of the popular and interesting
“Epistolæ Hoelianæ,” was the son of a clergyman,
and born in Caermarthenshire, in 1596. He took his degree
of bachelor of arts in Jesus College, Oxford, in 1613. When
he left the University, he was appointed, through the interest of
Sir Robert Mansel, to superintend a patent glass manufactory in
London, which had been established by some men of rank. In
1619, he commenced a tour on the Continent in the service of his
employers, and during the three years that he continued abroad,
he visited Holland, Spain, France, and Italy; in Venice he
engaged some workmen for his manufactory, for the Venetians were
at that time very famous for their skill in casting
plate-glass. Soon after his return to England he was
elected fellow of Jesus College, and travelled abroad again with
the son of Lord Altham. He afterwards had the office of
secretary to Lord Scrope, then president of the North, and was
elected member of parliament for Richmond, and subsequently he
was appointed secretary to the English Ambassador, the Earl of
Leicester, in Denmark. In 1640, he was made clerk of the
council, which he did not long retain by reason of
Cromwell’s usurpation. His works are numerous, and he
was the first who held the office of Historiographer, which he
obtained on the Restoration. He died in 1666.
William Hughes, D.D., was a native of Caernarvonshire,
and was educated partly at Oxford, whence he removed to
Christ’s College, Cambridge. He was chaplain to
the Duke of Norfolk, and he took his degrees of divinity in
Oxford, having been incorporated from Cambridge. He was
afterwards rector of Llysfaen in Caernarvonshire, and in 1573, he
was consecrated Bishop of St. Asaph. He died in 1600.
Humphrey Humphreys, D.D., was born at
Penrhyn-dau-draeth, Merionethshire, in 1648. He received
his education at the free grammar schools of Oswestry and Bangor,
and in 1665, he was admitted a member of Jesus College, Oxford,
where he obtained a scholarship, and afterwards a fellowship; he
proceeded regularly through his degrees, and became rector of
Llanvrothen, which he left in 1672 for the living of
Trawsfynydd. Having been made a canon of Bangor, he was
installed dean of the same cathedral in 1680, and in 1689, he was
raised to the bishopric, from which he was translated to the see
of Hereford in 1701. His death took place in 1712. He
was a person of excellent virtues during the whole course of his
life, and an example of piety, and strictly attentive to the
duties of his high station.
George, Lord Jefferies, Baron Wem, was
the son of John Jefferies, Esq., of Acton, in Denbighshire, where
he was born in the beginning of the seventeenth century. He
received his education at Shrewsbury School, and Westminster, and
was entered at the Middle Temple to study law. His
father’s family being large, his allowance was consequently
very scanty, but his industry and ingenuity supplied all
deficiencies. On commencing his professional career, he was
made a citizen of London through the interest of a relation; and
he was subsequently chosen recorder of the corporation.
This high station recommended him to the notice of the court, and
furthered his advancement. He was appointed successively a
Welsh Judge, and Chief Justice of Chester, and created a
baronet. Having been appointed Chief Justice of the
King’s Bench, he was employed to prosecute the adherents of
the Duke of Monmouth, which office he executed with great
cruelty, and for his zeal in this service he was rewarded by the
vindictive and cold-hearted James with the post of Lord High
Chancellor. It is acknowledged, however, that he showed
himself an able and impartial judge in cases which were not
connected with politics. On the accession of William the
Third, he was committed to the Tower, where he died in April,
1689. He was succeeded in his title and estates by his only
son, whose daughter was married to Earl Pomfret; and after his
death, she presented the noble collection, known by the name of
Pomfret marbles, to the University of Oxford.
William Lleyn was a very celebrated Welsh bard, and
flourished in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He was a native
of Llangain in Lleyn, in Caernarvonshire. He excelled all
the bards of his time in sublimity of thought and poetic fire, and was much
admired for the sprightliness of his wit. His compositions
are remarkable for grave sentences, and maxims of policy and
wisdom. He had a poetical contest with Owain Gwynedd, a
contemporary bard, which is still extant, besides several other
pieces which have never been published. He died at
Oswestry.
David Jenkins was born at Hensol, in Glamorganshire, in
1586. He was educated at Edmund Hall, Oxford, and entered
at Gray’s Inn. Being called to the bar, he was
subsequently made a Welsh Judge, and continued in this office
until he was taken prisoner by the parliamentary forces at
Hereford, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Having
rendered himself obnoxious to the parliament, in consequence of
his having condemned, when judge, several who had taken arms
against the King, he was brought before the House of Commons;
whose authority he denied, and called the whole assembly a den of
thieves; being provoked by this language, they voted him guilty
of high treason, and sentenced him to be hanged; on which he
undauntedly observed that he would suffer with the Bible under
one arm and Magna Charta under the other. He escaped
however this punishment, but was fined 1,000l. for
contempt, and his estates were confiscated. He was
committed to Newgate, where he remained until the Restoration;
but it does not appear that he obtained any reward for his
courage and fidelity from the forgetful Charles. He died in
1667, at Cambridge.
Sir Leoline Jenkins, L.L.D., was born in 1623, at
Llantrisaint, in the county of Glamorgan, and was educated at
Jesus College, Oxford. When the civil war broke out, he
took arms for the King, and upon the failure of the royal cause
he left the kingdom. On the Restoration he returned to
Jesus College, and was elected fellow, and in 1661, he became the
principal. He was afterwards admitted an advocate at
Doctors’ Commons; and with other eminent civilians he was
appointed to review the maritime laws, and to compile a body of
rules for the adjudication of prizes, which became the standard
of the Court of Admiralty. He was made judge of the same
court in 1665, and in 1668, of the Prerogative Court in
Canterbury. He was likewise sent on an embassy to the
Dutch. On his return he was chosen member for the
University of Oxford, sworn of the privy council, and appointed
secretary of state, which office he resigned in 1684. On
the accession of James, he was again elected member for Oxford,
but was prevented by ill health from sitting in that parliament,
and died in 1685. His letters and papers were collected and
published by W. Wynne, in two folio volumes; and all his estate
was bequeathed by him for charitable uses, and chiefly to Jesus
College.
Thomas Johnes was born of an ancient Welsh family
in Ludlow, in 1748. He was educated at Eton, and Jesus
College, Oxford, where he proceeded to his Master’s
degree. He was the proprietor of the estate of Havod, in
Cardiganshire, where he built a splendid mansion, and occupied
himself there in planting trees, and otherwise improving his
property. He also devoted himself to literary pursuits, the
fruits of which are elegant editions of the “Chronicles of
Froissart and Monstrelet,” and several other works, all of
which he himself translated from the French, and printed at his
own establishment at Havod. He first obtained a seat in
parliament for the borough of Cardigan, and afterwards for the
county of Radnor; he was likewise auditor for Wales, and colonel
of the Caermarthenshire militia. In 1807, his library,
consisting of the finest typographical productions, and
containing a number of valuable Welsh manuscripts, was burnt in a
fire which nearly destroyed the whole house. He died in
1816.
Edward Jones, D.D., was born near the town of
Montgomery, and was educated at Westminster School, whence he was
elected to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was chosen fellow
in 1667. He became master of Kilkenny College, and dean of
Lismore, in Ireland, and was made bishop of Cloyne, and in 1692
he was translated to the see of St. Asaph. His translation
to this
diocese was entirely owing to his being a native of the
country. He died at Westminster in 1703.
[For an account of Edward Jones, Bardd y Brenin,—see
Addenda.]
Owen Jones, the distinguished Welsh antiquary, whose
name will be ever associated with the Welsh language, was born in
Llanvihangel Glyn-y-myvyr, Denbighshire, in 1741. In early
life he removed to London, and entered the employment of an
eminent furrier, whom he eventually succeeded. Being
enthusiastically interested in the antiquities of his native
country, he devoted a great portion of his time to the collecting
of Welsh manuscripts; and the result of his disinterested
patriotism has been the publication of the “Archaiology of
Wales,” in three volumes, entirely at his own
expense. He also procured transcripts of ancient Welsh
poetry, amounting to fifty volumes, quarto, which invaluable
collection is now deposited in the Cymmrodorion Library, in
London. He published the works of the famous poet, Davydd
ap Gwilym, and also “Dihewyd y Cristion.” In
1772, Mr. Jones, formed the Gwyneddigion Society, for the purpose
of patronizing the Bards of Wales, and promoting the study of the
Welsh language; and this excellent society annually offers prize
medals, and other rewards for compositions on various
subjects. After a most useful and active life, this amiable
man, whose zeal was only equalled by his private worth, died at
his house in Thames-street, London, September, 1814, in the
seventy-third year of his age.
Inigo Jones, whose proper name was Ynyr, which in his
travels in Italy, he Italianized into Inigo, was born at
Llanrwst, Denbighshire, about the year 1572. Being
originally destined for a mechanical employment, he emerged from
obscurity by dint of talent, which recommended him to the Earl of
Pembroke, a great patron of the fine arts, who also supplied him
with the means of visiting Italy, for the purpose of studying
landscape painting. While at Venice, the works of Paladio
inspired him with a taste for architecture, in the practice of
which he arrived at unrivalled excellence. His reputation
recommended him to the notice of Christiern the Fourth, King of
Denmark, who bestowed on him the post of first architect.
Having returned to England, he was appointed architect to the
Queen, and Prince Henry, and afterwards to the Board of
Works. His acknowledged taste in classical architecture
obtained for him sufficient employment from court, and many of
the nobility and gentry, so that he realized a handsome
fortune. Many proofs exist of the elegant taste of this
great architect; and he was also commissioner for the repairing
of St. Paul’s Cathedral, all of which was ruined by the
great fire; but it was subsequently rebuilt after Jones’s
original design. During the civil war he was forced to pay
a fine on account of his known attachment to the royal family;
and being distressed at the ruin of the royal cause, and worn
down with suffering and old age, he died in July, 1652. He
was a good geometrician, and well skilled in various branches of
literature and science; but as an author he only published a
curious treatise, to attempt to prove that Stonehenge was a Roman
temple.
John Jones, L.L.D., an eminent divine and philologist,
was a native of Caermarthenshire. He was educated at the
Dissenting College of Hackney; and he became tutor in several
Dissenting academies successively in Wales and England. He
finally settled in London, where he spent his time in editing his
numerous works; among the most popular of which are his
“Greek and English Lexicon,” and his
“Grammar,” both Greek and Latin, besides other works
on education; and he likewise was held in great esteem as a
private tutor. He died in London in 1827.
William Jones, an eminent mathematician, was born in
the Isle of Anglesey in 1680. At a very early age he
applied himself diligently to the study of mathematics; and in
his twenty-second year he published a “Compendium of the
Art of Navigation,” which was much approved of. He
began his career in teaching these sciences on board of a
man-of-war; and he was present at the capture of Vigo. On
his return to England, he gave instructions in the mathematics in
London, and having attracted the notice of some influential men,
he was appointed by Lord Hardwicke secretary of the peace.
He enjoyed the friendship of the great mathematicians and writers
of the age, among whom were Newton, Halley, Head, and Dr.
Johnson. He was member of the Royal Society, and then
vice-president. He was author of several valuable papers on
mathematics, which were published in the Philosophical
Transactions. He died of a polypus in the heart in July,
1749.
Sir William Jones, the celebrated oriental scholar, was
the son of the subject of the preceding article, and was born in
London, September, 1746. He received his early education at
Harrow School, where he was sent in his eighth year. He
very soon attracted the notice of the masters by his splendid
genius; and in 1764, he was entered at University College,
Oxford. While here, he supported, at his own expense, a
native of Aleppo, for the purpose of acquiring the true
pronunciation of the Arabic. And having undertaken the
office of tutor to Lord Althorpe, he went with him to the German
Spa, where he perfected himself in the German language; and on
his return, he distinguished himself by translating the
“Life of Nadir Shah” into French, which
language he wrote with much elegance. He obtained a college
fellowship, and afterwards entered himself as a law student in
the Temple. In 1772, he published some poems, and in the
same year was elected a fellow of the Royal Society; and in 1774,
he was called to the bar; about two years after, he was made
commissioner of bankrupts. In the mean time, he published
several works, chiefly in oriental literature, which excited the
admiration of the world; and at the same time he was advancing
rapidly in professional reputation. In an election for the
University of Oxford he offered himself as a candidate, where,
however, though respectably supported, he did not succeed.
On the accession of the Shelburne administration, he obtained
what had long been the summit of his ambition—the
appointment of Judge in the Supreme Court of Judicature in
Bengal, to which he was nominated in 1783, and received the
honour of knighthood. He married Miss Shipley, the daughter
of the Bishop of St. Asaph; and in the same year he arrived at
Calcutta. While in India, he wrote numerous translations
from the Hindostanee, and formed there a society, similar to the
Royal Society of London, of which he was chosen the first
president. He next undertook to compile a complete digest
of the Hindoo and Mohammedan laws, which was not however
completed by him. In 1794, he was seized with an
inflammation of the liver, and died on the 27th of April, in the
forty-eighth year of his age. Few men have died more
respected and lamented than Sir William Jones: his genius and
profound learning had attracted the praise of all; and as a
linguist, he has not been surpassed, for he knew no less than
twenty-nine languages, and most of them critically. All his
works were collected and published by his widow, in six volumes,
quarto.
Lloyd, Lord Kenyon, was born in Gredington,
Flintshire, in 1732. He was the second son of a gentleman
of independent fortune, and was originally intended to be brought
up as a solicitor, and he was under the instruction of an eminent
lawyer at Nantwich. In consequence of the death of an elder
brother, he was entered at the Middle Temple, and after being
called to the bar, he attended various circuits before he
obtained any practice, which caused him to despair of succeeding
in his profession, and think of applying himself to divinity, and
taking orders. Active attention, however, and indefatigable
industry, brought him at length to notice and extensive
practice. He confined himself afterwards entirely to the
Court of Chancery, where he obtained the most distinguished
celebrity, although he ranked high as a common lawyer. He
conducted the defence of Lord George Gordon, when he was tried
for high treason. In 1780 he was appointed Lord Chief
Justice of Chester, and he twice filled the office of
Attorney-general. On the death of Sir John Sewell, he
accepted the office of Master of the Rolls, and in 1788 he
succeeded Lord Mansfield as Lord Chief Justice of the
King’s Bench, where he gave the greatest satisfaction by
his integrity and able administration of justice. He died
in 1802, in his seventieth year.
David Lloyd, L.L.D., was born at Llanidloes,
Montgomeryshire, in the year 1603. He was entered at the
age of fourteen at All Soul’s College, Oxford, where he
afterwards became a fellow. Having taken orders, he
obtained the rectory of Trevdraeth, in Anglesea, in 1641, which
he resigned on his presentation to Llangynhaval in the following
year, and became successively vicar of Llanvair, in Dyfryn Clwyd,
and warden of Ruthin, and prebendary of Chester; out of all of
which he was ejected after the breaking out of the civil war, and
for his loyalty he was a great sufferer. On the accession
of Charles the Second, he was restored to his benefices, and
promoted to the deanery of St. Asaph in 1660. He was
esteemed an ingenious man, and a good poet; and he published
several pieces which were prized for their wit. He died at
Ruthin in September, 1663.
David Lloyd, M.A., was born at Trawsvynydd,
Merionethshire, in 1635, and educated at Ruthin School. He
removed thence to Oriel College, Oxford, where he
graduated, and obtained a college living. He subsequently
retired to Wales, where he was appointed chaplain to Bishop
Barrow, who, besides other preferment, gave him a canonry in the
diocese of St. Asaph. He was afterwards vicar of Northop,
where he resided for several years; he published several works,
of which the principal are “Worthies of the World,”
1665, octavo; “Memories of Statesmen and Favourites of
England,” octavo. He was zealous and industrious in
the discharge of his clerical duties, and esteemed by all for his
charitable disposition. On finding his health decaying, he
retired to the place of his nativity, where he died in 1691.
Henry Lloyd was the son of a clergyman in Wales, where
he was born in 1729. His early education he received from
his father, who instructed him in the classics and
mathematics. Being intended for the army, he went abroad,
and was at the battle of Fontenoy; he afterwards travelled in
Germany, and resided in Austria for some years, where he was
appointed aid-de-camp to Marshal Lascy, and received higher
promotion. In 1760 he commanded a large detachment of
cavalry and infantry, which was destined to observe the motions
of the Prussians. He executed this service with great
success; but soon after, for some reason, he threw up his
commission in disgust. He was next employed by the King of
Prussia, and served in two campaigns until the peace. On the
breaking out of the war between the Turks and Russians, he
offered his services to Catherine the Second, who made him a
major-general, and he greatly distinguished himself at the seige
of Silistria in 1774, and subsequently he had the command of
30,000 men in the war with Sweden. After his return to
England, he published several works on military tactics, which
are highly thought of, and placed him in a high rank as a
military writer. He died at Huy, in the Netherlands, in
1783.
Hugh Lloyd, D.D., was a native of South Wales, where he
was born in the year 1589, and having been brought up for the
church, and having received an University education, he became
rector of Llangatoc, in Breconshire, and archdeacon of St.
David’s. In 1660 he was advanced to the bishopric of
Llandav, where he continued until his death, which took place in
1667, and he was buried in his cathedral.
Humffrey Lloyd, D.D., was born in 1610, at Trawsvynydd,
Merionethshire. He received an academical education; and
having taken orders, he became in time, a prebendary of York, and
vicar of Rhiwabon, in Denbighshire, and likewise a prebendary of
Chester; out of which he was ejected in the great rebellion; but
living to be restored in 1660, he was made canon of St. Asaph the
following year, and in 1667 dean of the same cathedral; in 1673 he was
raised to the bishopric of Bangor. He was a great
benefactor to his cathedral, and greatly increased the revenues
of his see. He died in 1688.
John Lloyd, D.D., was a native of Caermarthenshire,
where he was born in 1638. He was entered at Merton
College, Oxford, whence he removed to Jesus College, where he
graduated, and of which in time he became prebendary. He
also discharged the office of vice-chancellor in that University
with great satisfaction, and was held in high esteem for his
piety and learning. In 1686 he was promoted to the
bishopric of St. David’s, but by reason of ill health he
removed to Oxford, and died at Jesus College in 1687.
Nicholas Lloyd, an eminent divine, and philological
writer, was born in Flintshire in 1634. He received his
education at Winchester School, and Wadham College, Oxford, where
he obtained a fellowship. He was for some years rector of
Newington Butts, near London, to which he had been appointed by
the Bishop of Worcester, to whom he was chaplain. He died
there in 1680. He published an excellent and highly
esteemed “Historical and Geographical Dictionary,” in
Latin, which has been the basis of many similar compilations.
William Lloyd, D.D., an eminent prelate, was the son of
the Rev. Richard Lloyd, Rector of Tilehurst, Berks, who
came from Henblas, in Anglesea, and was born at his
father’s living in 1627. At the early age of eleven
he was entered at Oriel College, Oxford, whence he removed to New
College, and subsequently to Jesus College, where he became
successively a scholar and fellow. Having taken orders in
1648, he was presented to the rectory of Bradfield, Berks, in
1654, which he afterwards resigned. He was appointed
chaplain to Charles the Second, and prebendary of Salisbury, then
rector of St. Mary’s, in Reading, and archdeacon of
Merioneth; four years after, he was made dean of Bangor.
After various other preferment, he was advanced to the bishopric
of St. Asaph in 1680. He was one of the seven bishops who
were committed to the Tower for subscribing and presenting a
petition to King James, deprecating his assumed power of
suspending the laws against popery. Bishop Lloyd having
heartily concurred in the Revolution, was appointed lord almoner
to King William, and in 1692 he was translated to Lichfield and
Coventry, and thence in 1699 to Worcester. His writings,
which relate to history and divinity are greatly prized, and are
distinguished for the learning and acute judgment exhibited in
them. He died in 1717.
William Lloyd, D.D., was a native of Wales, and was
educated at St. John’s College, Cambridge, and graduated
there. Having taken orders, he obtained various
preferment, and in 1675 he was made bishop of Llandaff, from
whence he was translated to Peterborough in 1679, and thence in
1685 to the see of Norwich, out of which he was ejected for not
taking the oath to King William and Queen Mary. He retired
to Hammersmith, near London, where he died in 1710.
Edward Llwyd, M.A., an eminent British antiquary and
naturalist, was a native of Cardiganshire, where he was born
about 1670. At the age of seventeen, he was entered at
Jesus College, Oxford, where he graduated. He succeeded Dr.
Plot, the keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, and applied himself
with great diligence to the study of the language of the early
Britons, and for that purpose he travelled in the countries where
it still remained. After having visited Ireland, Scotland,
Cornwall, and Bretagne, and making himself perfect in the various
dialects, he published the results of his accurate observations
in the “Archæologia Britannica,” which was the
first volume of a series on a great plan, which he did not live
to carry on; and his death taking place before the ample
materials which he had provided were properly arranged for the
press, the whole of his manuscripts were sold to Sir Thomas
Sebright, but not before Jesus College and the University had
refused to purchase them. They subsequently came to the
possession of Colonel Johnes, of Havod, and were mostly burnt in the
fire which nearly destroyed that gentleman’s mansion.
He died in 1709. He was also author of “Lithophylacii
Britannici Ichnographia,” and a catalogue of the
manuscripts in the Ashmolean Museum, besides several papers
published in the Philosophical Transactions.
Humfrey Lloyd, M.A., a learned antiquary and historian,
was born in the town of Denbigh in 1527. He was entered a
gentleman commoner of Brazen-nose College, Oxford, where he
graduated in 1551, and studied medicine. He returned to his
native place, where he practised his profession, and also
represented it in parliament. He was highly esteemed by
Camden, and the geographer Ortelius, to whom he addressed his
“Commentarioli Britannicæ descriptionis
fragmentum,” published at Cologne in 1572. He also
translated Caradog of Llancarvan’s “History of
Cambria,” which was edited by Dr. Powel, in 1584, quarto,
and he was author of a letter “De Monâ Druidum
Insulâ antiquitati suæ restitutâ.”
He died in 1568.
Christopher Love, an eminent Presbyterian divine, was
born at Caerdiff, in 1618. He was originally intended for
trade, and was apprenticed in London; but his father was
persuaded afterwards to give him an University education, and
accordingly he was entered at New-Inn Hall, Oxford, where he
proceeded in due order to his degrees of bachelor and master of
arts, and
entered the church. Upon his refusal to subscribe to the
canons which were enjoined by Archbishop Laud, he was expelled
the congregation of masters. Upon the establishment of the
Presbyterian government, he was ordained to preach at St.
Mary’s, Aldermanbury; and he was one of the commissioners
appointed by parliament at the treaty of Uxbridge. He was
one of the London ministers who signed a declaration against
putting the King to death, and subsequently he took an active
share in a conspiracy to place Charles the Second on the throne,
which was detected by the vigilance of Cromwell; and Mr. Love was
tried, and beheaded on Tower-hill in August, 1651.
Richard Lucas, D.D., an excellent divine, and classical
scholar, was born at Presteign, Radnorshire, in 1648. He
received an University education at Jesus College, Oxford, where
he graduated. In 1683 he was elected by the parishioners to
the lectureship of St. Olave’s, Southwark, and the vicarage
of St. Stephen’s, Coleman-street. He obtained
afterwards a stall in Westminster, which he held for nineteen
years. His writings consist of sermons and various other
theological works.
Francis Mansel was the third son of Sir Francis Mansel,
of Muddlescomb, Caermarthenshire, where he was born in
1588. He was educated at Hereford School, and Jesus
College, Oxford. He became a fellow of All Souls, and in
1620 he was elected principal of Jesus College. He was
ejected from his office at the parliamentary visitation in 1648,
and he retired to Wales, where he assisted the royal cause with
his greatest exertions, and consequently exposed himself to the
persecutions of the parliamentary party. He was a very
great benefactor to his college, and considerably increased its
revenues, and he obtained besides for it a valuable
library. He died in May, 1665.
Henry Maurice, D.D., an eminently learned and talented
divine, was born in 1648, at Llangristiolus, in Anglesea.
He was sent to Jesus College, Oxford, in his sixteenth year,
where his abilities and great merit recommended him to the notice
of the principal, Sir Leoline Jenkins, who made him a scholar of
the college, and afterwards fellow. When Sir Leoline was
sent on an embassy to Cologne, he appointed Mr. Maurice to be his
chaplain, in which station he gave the greatest satisfaction by
his diligent attention to his duties; and on his return to
England, he became acquainted with Dr. Lloyd, afterwards bishop
of St. Asaph, who recommended him to Archbishop Sancroft, and he
was appointed his chaplain, and soon after rector of Newington,
and prebendary of Chichester. He published some treatises
against popery; and in 1691 he was elected Lady Margaret’s
professor of divinity in Oxford. He died suddenly in 1693, at
Newington. It was observed when Dr. Maurice was appointed
chaplain to the Archbishop, that several of the highest offices
in church and state had been filled by Welshmen. Dr. Dolben
was Archbishop of York, Dr. Lloyd Bishop of St. Asaph, Sir George
Jefferies Lord Chancellor, Sir Leoline Jenkins Secretary of
State, Sir Thomas Jones Lord Chief Justice, Sir John Trevor
Master of the Rolls, and Sir William Williams Speaker of the
House of Commons.
Thomas Maurice, the celebrated orientalist, was a
member of a respectable Welsh family. On the death of his
father, who had been a master in Christ’s Hospital for
twenty-six years, Thomas, the eldest of six children, was
admitted on the foundation there, but he was afterwards removed
to various seminaries in the country for the benefit of his
health; the last of which was the celebrated one of Dr.
Parr’s, at Stanmore-hill. At the age of nineteen he
was entered at St. John’s College, Oxford, whence he
subsequently removed to University College, and here he commenced
author at an early period, by publishing a translation of
“Sophaclis Ædipus Tyrannus,” which gained him
great credit; this was soon followed by some other pieces of
verse and prose. On taking orders, he obtained the curacy
of Woodford, in Essex, and afterwards he purchased a chaplaincy
in the ninety-seventh regiment. In 1783 he commenced
the arduous undertaking of his “History of India,”
the various volumes of which appeared successively at different
times—the last in 1804. He was presented by Earl
Spencer to the vicarage of Wormleighton, in Warwickshire, in
1799; and the appointment of assistant librarian to the British
Museum was also bestowed upon him; and in 1804 he was presented
to the living of Cudham, Kent, by the Lord Chancellor. He
died at his rooms in the Museum, March 30th, 1824. Besides
his great works on India, he was the author of numerous poems,
dissertations, and other miscellanies, all of which ranked him
high as a literary character.
Rowland Meyrick, L.L.D., was born at Bodorgan, in
Anglesea, in 1505. He was educated at Oxford, where he
subsequently became principal of New-Inn Hall; and after holding
various preferments, he was advanced to the bishopric of Bangor
in 1559, where he died in 1565.
Sir Hugh Middleton, well known as the maker of the New
River, London, was the son of Richard Middleton, Esq., governor
of Denbigh Castle, under Edward the Sixth, Mary, and
Elizabeth. Having settled in London as a goldsmith, he made
several successful speculations in some mines in Cardiganshire,
and became an alderman. Observing the scarcity of good
water in London, he took entirely upon himself to supply the
metropolis with a stream of pure water; for the corporation, with
all its wealth, conceiving the undertaking to be too difficult,
refused to have any share in it. He, however, patriotically
persevered; and after almost the ruin of his own fortune, he
succeeded in obtaining assistance from the King for a share, and
it was completed. The water was let in before an immense
concourse on Michaelmas-day, in 1613. He was knighted, and
in 1622 he was created a baronet. His death took place in
1631.
Robert Morgan, D.D., was born at Llandysilio,
Montgomeryshire, in 1608. He was entered at Jesus College,
and thence he removed to St. John’s College, Cambridge,
where he graduated. Having taken orders, he became chaplain
to Bishop Dolben, who preferred him, in 1632, to the vicarage of
Llanwnog, Montgomeryshire, and rectory of Llangynhaval. He
was afterwards prebendary of Chester, vicar of Llanvair,
Denbighshire, and rector of Trevdraeth, and Llandyvnan, in
Anglesea; out of all which he was ejected during the usurpation
of Cromwell, during which he was a great sufferer for his
loyalty. In 1660 he was restored to his benefices, and was
promoted to the archdeaconry of Meirioneth; and in 1666 he was
raised to the bishopric of Bangor. He died in 1673, and was
buried in his cathedral, which had been greatly improved at his
cost.
William Morgan, D.D., the first translator of the
Bible into the Welsh language, was born at Penmachno,
Caernarvonshire, and was educated at St. John’s College,
Cambridge. He was vicar of Welsh-pool, in Montgomeryshire,
and obtained other preferment. Having occasion to go to
London to see Archbishop Whitgift, his grace conceived a high
opinion of his abilities, and appointed him his chaplain.
At the Archbishop’s desire, he undertook a translation of
the Bible into Welsh, which was published in 1588, black letter,
folio. The New Testament was only corrected by him from a
translation by William Salusbury, a Denbighshire gentleman, who
first published the Epistles and Gospels for the whole year, in
Edward the Sixth’s time. Queen Elizabeth rewarded Dr.
Morgan with the bishopric of Llandaff, in 1595, and he was
translated to the see of St. Asaph in 1601. He died in
1604.
Hugh Morris, one of the first of Welsh poets, was born
at Pont-y-Meibion, in Denbighshire, in the year 1622. Being
a younger son, he was apprenticed by his father, who was a
respectable freeholder, to a tanner in Flintshire. He did
not carry on his trade, but lived a life of retirement in the
cultivation of his talent for poetry, of which he has left us
splendid memorial. The productions of his pen are numerous;
and these valuable poems have been patriotically collected and published
by an eminent Welsh scholar and divine, in two volumes.
Hugh Morris, on the breaking out of the civil war, was a stanch
friend to royalty, and he exerted all the powers of his pen in
its support, and there is no doubt but that his writings had
great influence over the minds of the common people, ever
attached to poetry. His satirical poems, where he lashes
the religious cant and vile hypocrisy of the times, are
unequalled for the keen wit and cutting irony, which he handles
in so masterly a manner. He was universally esteemed for
his great abilities and excellent character, and always exercised
his influence in behalf of justice and benevolence, and in the
furtherance of religion. He died at the place of his birth
in 1709, in the eighty-seventh year of his age.
Lewis Morris, an eminent poet and antiquary, was born
in the Isle of Anglesea in the year 1702. In his youth he
received but a slender education; but, however, he and three
other brothers, through self-instruction, and cultivation of
their natural talent, became eminent characters in various
branches of knowledge and science. He was chiefly employed
in the service of government; and in 1737 he was appointed by the
admiralty to survey the coast of Wales, which he accomplished
with great satisfaction, and an account of it was published in
1748. At the same period he had the appointment of the
surveyorship of the crown lands in Wales, and in 1750 he had the
additional offices of superintendent and agent of the
King’s mines in the principality. He was a very good
poet in his native language, and several of his productions have
been published. As an antiquary he was eminently skilful,
and it is greatly to be lamented that a valuable work entitled
“Celtic Remains,” which he left in manuscript, has
never been sent to the press, as his acute and learned remarks
would be a great addition to illustrate our national
antiquities. He collected about eighty volumes of Welsh
manuscripts, which are now deposited in the Welsh School Library,
in London. He died in 1765, in Cardiganshire.
Goronwy Owen, A.M., was born about the year 1722, at
Llanvair Mathavarn Eithav, in Anglesea. His parents being
in a humble condition, were not able to bestow upon him a proper
education in his youth, but his great abilities and industry
overcame every obstacle. He was at a respectable seminary
at Pwllheli, where he became second master, and from thence he
removed to Oxford. He was ordained deacon in 1745, and for
a short time he held the curacy of his native parish, where he
enjoyed great happiness among his friends and early
acquaintances. He was obliged to resign this, to make room
for a friend of the bishop’s chaplain, who had appointed
him to it, and this took place with the bishop’s
sanction. He next removed to the neighbourhood of Oswestry, and
soon after he was appointed curate of Oswestry. In the year
1748, he became curate of Donington, in Shropshire, where he kept
also a school in order to add to his small income, and support an
increasing family. Here he composed “Cowydd y
Varn,” one of his most celebrated pieces; and what portion
of time he could spare from the drudgery of school-keeping, he
spent in the study of Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac, and Chaldee.
In 1733 he removed to the curacy of Watton, in Lancashire.
His great desire was to obtain even the smallest preferment in
any part of his native country, but he was disappointed and
neglected; and in 1755 he resigned his curacy and went to London,
where his countrymen had an intention of building a Welsh church,
and to which he was to be appointed minister. When this
plan did not succeed, he became curate of Northold, where he
remained two years, when an offer was made to him of preferment
in America; and by the assistance of the Cymmrodorion in London,
he crossed the Atlantic, to St. Andrew’s, in Virginia; here
he settled for some time, but afterwards removed to New
Brunswick, and from thence to Williamsburg. The time of his
death is not well known. This talented man was one of the
greatest poets that ever appeared among the Welsh, and his
poetical works were printed, with other productions, in a volume,
under the title of “Diddanwch Teuluaidd.”
Henry Owen, an eminent divine and philologist,
was the son of a gentleman of fortune, in Merionethshire, where
he was born, at Tanygader, in 1716. He was educated at
Ruthin Grammar school, from whence he removed to Jesus College,
Oxford. He originally intended to practise physic, but
entered into orders, and after various preferment, he became
rector of St. Olave, Hart-street, London, and vicar of Edmonton,
Middlesex. His numerous works consist chiefly of
theological subjects, and he edited “Xenophon’s
Memorabilia,” “Critical Disquisitions,” and
“Critica Sacra, or Hebrew Criticism.” He also
furnished several papers to the “Archaiologia.”
His death took place in 1795.
John Owen, the celebrated epigrammatist, was a native
of Caernarvonshire. He was educated at Winchester School,
and New College, Oxford, where he graduated L.L.D., and became a
fellow. He afterwards held the mastership of a
grammar-school, near Monmouth, whence he removed to a similar
situation in Warwick. While here, he distinguished himself
by his skill in Latin poetry, and more particularly
epigrams. This talent, however, did great harm, for he was
struck out of the will of a rich uncle for his satirical epigrams
on the church of Rome. He died in 1622, and he was buried
in St. Paul’s Cathedral, at the expense of Archbishop
Williams, by whom he was supported in the latter part of his
life. His epigrams have been several times reprinted,
both in England, and on the Continent; they are justly admired
for their wit and purity of language.
John Owen, D.D., the most eminent of Nonconformist
divines in this country, was descended of a respectable family in
North Wales, though born at Stadham, in Oxfordshire, in 1616, of
which place his father, a native of Wales, was vicar. He
was educated at Queen’s College, Oxford, where he was
supported by a rich uncle, living in North Wales; but who, being
a royalist, was offended at his nephew’s principles, and
died without leaving him anything. On the breaking out of
the civil war, he sided with the parliament, and became a
Presbyterian in his religious opinions; and his display of
Arminianism, which was published in 1642, so recommended him to
the prevailing party, that he was presented to the living of
Fordham, in Essex, and subsequently by the Earl of Warwick, at
the request of the parishioners, to that of Coggeshall, in the
same county. Having now acquired great celebrity, and
become acquainted with General Fairfax during the seige of
Colchester, he was appointed to preach at Whitehall the day after
the execution of Charles the First. He soon after became a
favourite with Cromwell, whom he accompanied on his expeditions
to Ireland and Scotland; and in 1651 he was appointed to the
deanery of Christ Church, Oxford, on which appointment
he received his doctor’s degree, and in 1652, Cromwell
being chancellor, Owen was made his vice-chancellor, which office
he held for five years. On the death of his patron, the
Protector, he was deprived of his office and deanery, through the
influence of the Presbyterian party, whom he had offended by
adopting the Independent mode of worship, which he thought more
conformable to the New Testament; and he published his reasons
for thinking so, in two volumes, quarto. On the
Restoration, his merit was so highly appreciated, that Lord
Clarendon offered him immediate preferment if he would conform,
which he respectfully declined. This eminent man died at
Ealing, Middlesex, in 1683. His works, which are of high
Calvinistic principles, are very numerous, amounting to seven
folio, twenty quarto, and thirty octavo volumes.
John Owens, D.D., was the son of Owen Owens, of
Bodsilin, in Caernarvonshire, the last archdeacon of
Anglesea. He was born at Burton Latimers, Northamptonshire,
where his father was rector, and was educated at Jesus College,
Cambridge, of which he became a fellow, and succeeded to his
father’s living in 1618. He was appointed chaplain to
Charles the First, when he was Prince of Wales, who, on the
supposition that he was a Welshman, which he was in every respect
excepting the place of his nativity, preferred him to the bishopric
of St. Asaph in 1629. This excellent prelate was
distinguished for his incomparable skill in the Welsh language,
and for his pious zeal in promoting the good of his
diocese. He was the first who established there preaching
in Welsh, and laid out great sums of money in new building and
beautifying several parts of his cathedral, and especially in the
erection of an organ. Upon the breaking out of the civil
war, he was a great and extraordinary sufferer; and he died near
St. Asaph, 1651, and was buried under the episcopal throne, when
the church was used as a stable for horses and oxen. He was
author of “Herod and Pontius Pilate reconciled.”
Lewis Owen, who distinguished himself by his writings
against the Jesuits, was born in Meirionethshire in 1572.
He went abroad, and entered the Society of Jesuits in Spain, but
being disgusted at their behaviour and principles, he withdrew
from them, and made use of the information which he had gained in
exposing them in his works, which are the “Running
Register.” “Unmasking of all popish
priests,” &c., and “Speculum Jesuiticum,”
which abound in details to their disadvantage. He died in
1631.
Morgan Owen, D.D., was a native of South Wales, and was
educated at Oxford, where he graduated. Having taken
orders, he obtained various preferment, and in 1640 he was
installed bishop of Llandaff. On the breaking out of the civil war, he
retired to Glasallt, Caermarthenshire, and was a very great
sufferer on account of his loyalty. On receiving the news
of the death of his patron, Archbishop Laud, he died suddenly
soon after he heard it, in 1645, and he was buried in the same
county.
John Humphreys Parry, an ingenious antiquary, and one
of the most pleasing and learned writers of the present age, was
born at Mold, in Flintshire, in 1787, and his father was rector
of the neighbouring parish of Llanverras. After an
University education, he became a member of the Temple in 1807,
and in due time he was called to the bar in 1810. He
obtained considerable reputation in his profession, and gained
great praise by the publication of the “Cambro
Briton,” in three volumes, which appeared periodically, and
the value of which was greatly enhanced by his valuable and
judicious notes; he was the author also of the “Cambrian
Plutarch,” and several prize essays. He was appointed
the editor of the transactions of the London Cymmrodorion, a
volume of which appeared under his auspices. His native
country sustained a great loss by his death, which took place in
1825, in a most melancholy manner: a drunken man knocked him down
in the street; he fell with his head against the pavement, and
was killed upon the spot, leaving a wife and five children
unprovided for.
Richard Parry, D.D., was born at Ruthin,
Denbighshire, in the year 1578, and was educated at Westminster
School, under Camden, from whence he was elected a student of
Christ Church, Oxford; at the age of nineteen, he became
chancellor of Bangor, vicar of Gresford, and then dean of
Bangor. On the accession of James the First, who had a high
opinion of his learning, he nominated him to the bishopric of St.
Asaph in 1604. He was a prelate of great learning and
piety; and he revised the Bible which was translated by Dr.
Morgan, and published a second edition in 1620, which is now the
standard of the Welsh translation of the Bible. He founded
a scholarship in Jesus College, Oxford, to be held by one who has
been educated at Ruthin School, where he was the second who held
the mastership after its foundation by Dean Goodman. He
died at Diserth, near St. Asaph, in September, 1623.
Thomas Pennant, the celebrated antiquary and
naturalist, was born at Bychton, in Flintshire, in the year
1726. He studied at Queen’s College, Oxford, and he
afterwards removed to Oriel, which he left without taking a
degree. Being of an active and talented mind, he imbibed
early a taste for natural history; and the first effort of his
pen appeared in an account of an earthquake which was felt at
Downing, and it was published in the “Philosophical
Transactions.” In 1754 he was elected a fellow of the
Antiquarian Society, and in 1757, at the instance of the great
Linnæus, he was also elected fellow of the Royal Society at
Upsal. He published the first edition of his “British
Zoology” in 1761. He soon after visited the
Continent, where he became intimate with Buffon, Pallas, and
several other distinguished naturalists. In 1768 a new
edition of the British Zoology appeared, and it was successively
followed by his other works on Natural History, and “Tours
in Scotland and Wales.” In 1790 was published his
“Account of London,” which was received with great
avidity, and rapidly passed through several editions. His
works are very numerous, and will ever remain a lasting proof of
his splendid talents, both as an accurate observer of nature, and
diligent antiquary. Several of his works were translated
into German, and other Continental languages; and he was
frequently consulted by the great naturalists of his time, and
his opinions recorded in their publications. His accounts
have always been looked upon as most authentic; and he holds the
first rank as a writer from the popular and interesting style of
his narrative, and his incomparable skill in the selection of
subjects for illustration. He may be esteemed as one of the
greatest patrons of the art of engraving, for upwards of one
thousand plates were used in the embellishment of his
works. He ended an active and useful life at the family seat of
Downing, near Holywell, in December, 1798.
Sir Thomas Picton, a British general, was born at
Poyston, Pembrokeshire, in 1758. Having entered the army,
he served with great reputation in the West Indies; and his skill
and gallantry were conspicuously displayed in a long service of
forty-five years, both there, and in the marshes of Holland, and
in the peninsula of Spain and Portugal. On the morning of
the battle of Waterloo, he fell gloriously leading his division
to a charge of bayonets, by which one of the most serious attacks
made by the enemy was defeated. After his death a wound was
discovered, which he had received two days before, and which he
heroically concealed, having dressed it himself only with a piece
of torn handkerchief. He died greatly lamented, and his
meritorious life was distinguished for his zeal in the service of
his country.
Henry Parry was born in Flintshire. He was
educated at Gloucester Hall, Oxford, where he took his degrees in
arts, and his degree of B.D., at Jesus College, in 1597. He
travelled much abroad, and on his return, he obtained the rectory
of Rhoscolyn, in Anglesea, in 1601, and in 1612 he was installed
canon of Bangor. He died in 1617. He augmented and
published a “Welsh Rhetoric, or Egluryn Fraethineb,”
which was originally written by William Salusbury, and is
commended by Dr. Davies.
Hester Lynch Piozzi, was the daughter of John
Salusbury, of Bodvel, in Caernarvonshire. She was a
distinguished authoress, and well known as a friend of Johnson,
who made a Tour in Wales on a visit to her. She was first
married, in 1763, to Mr. Thrale, member of parliament for
Southwark, and after his death, she became the wife of Signor
Piozzi, a Florentine. Her works are rather numerous, but
the best known perhaps are her “Anecdotes of
Johnson,” with whom she was a great favourite until her
second marriage. She died a widow, at Clifton, in 1821, at
a very advanced age.
David Powel, D.D., was a native of Denbighshire.
In 1568 he was sent to be educated at Oxford, and after the
erection of Jesus College, in 1571, he removed thither, and
having proceeded through his bachelor’s degree, he
graduated M.A. in 1576. Having taken orders, he obtained
the livings of Rhiwabon and Llanvyllin, and became a prebendary
of St. Asaph; in 1584 he was appointed chaplain to Sir Henry
Sidney, then president of Wales. His first work,
“Caradog’s History of Wales,” quarto, appeared
in 1584, which had been partly translated from the Welsh by
Humphrey Llwyd, and was finished by Powel, who illustrated it
with annotations. This was followed in the following year
by “Pontici Virunii Historia Britannica,”
octavo. He was also author of “De Britannica Historia
recte intelligenda Epistola ad Gul. Fleetwood, Civ. Lond.
Recordatorem.” He is said to have undertaken the compilation
of a Welsh Dictionary, but he died before it was completed, which
event took place in 1598.
John Price was born of Welsh parents in London, in the
year 1600. He was educated at Westminster School, and
Christ Church, Oxford, whence he removed to Florence, having
become a Catholic, and he was there admitted doctor of civil
law. He held the appointment of keeper of the ducal cabinet
of medals and antiquities, and subsequently he became professor
of Greek at Pisa. He was a very ingenious and learned
critic, as his “Commentaries on the New Testament”
and “Notes on Apuleius” testify. He died at a
convent, in Rome, in the year 1676.
Richard Price, D.D., was a native of Glamorganshire,
and was born at Llangunnor in 1723. He was educated at
Talgarth, and afterwards removed to a Presbyterian academy in
London. He became pastor of a congregation at Hackney; and
in 1769 he was complimented with the diploma of doctor in
divinity by the University of Glasgow. He was the author of
several mathematical, statistical, and political works; and for
one of them he was presented with a gold snuff-box, containing a
vote of thanks by the corporation of London. He was also
fellow of the Royal Society, in whose Transactions he wrote
several papers. He died in 1791.
Sir John Price, L.L.D., was a native of
Breconshire. He was a learned and ingenious antiquary, and was author
of “Historiæ Britannicæ Defensio,”
quarto, which was written in answer to Polydore Virgil, and was
published after his death by his son, in 1573. He was one
of the King’s council in the court of the marches, and was
one of the commissioners employed by Henry the Eighth, to survey
the monasteries that were to be dissolved. He died in
1553.
Robert Price, D.D., an eminent prelate, was the son of
Colonel Price, of Rhiwlas, in Meirionethshire, where he was
born. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, and after
taking orders, was for some time vicar of Towyn, in
Meirionethshire, and afterwards chancellor of the diocese of
Bangor. He was promoted to the bishopric of Ferns, in
Ireland; and on the death of Bishop Roberts, in 1665, he was
nominated to succeed him in the see of Bangor; but his death took
place before his election was completed, and he was buried in the
cathedral church of St. Patrick, Dublin.
Rees Prichard, the celebrated author of “Canwyll
y Cymry,” was born at Llanymddyvri, Caermarthenshire.
At the age of eighteen, he was entered at Jesus College, Oxford,
in 1597, and graduated B.A. in 1602, and obtained the vicarage of
his own parish. In 1613 he was instituted to the rectory of
Llanedy, in the diocese of St. David’s; and he was chaplain
to the
Earl of Essex. In the following year he was made prebendary
of the collegiate church of Brecon, and in 1626 chancellor of St.
David’s. As long as the Welsh language endures, will
the memory of Prichard be kept with gratitude; and few
productions ever caused such a profitable and rapid change in
improving the morals of his countrymen. He died in
1644.
Edmund Prys, M.A., a distinguished Welsh poet, was born
in the year 1541. After an academical education, he entered
the church, and in 1572 he was made rector of Festiniog, and in
1576 archdeacon of Meirioneth. In 1602 he obtained a
canonry in St. Asaph. He was a very learned man, and
particularly distinguished himself by an elegant metrical version
of the Psalms, which is still in use. There are also extant
fifty-four controversial poems between the Archdeacon and a
contemporary Bard, William Cynwal, both holding a high rank in
the first class of the Welsh poets of that age. It is also
said that Cynwal fell a victim to the poignancy of the
Archdeacon’s satire. The last poem of the fifty-four
is a most pathetic elegy, composed by Prys when the news of his
rival’s death reached him; he was also an elegant Latin
poet, and a specimen of his talent is prefixed to Dr.
Davies’s Welsh and Latin Grammar. He died at
Maentwrog about the year 1622.
Abraham Rees, D.D., the author of the well known
Cyclopædia, which bears his name, was born at Montgomery,
in 1743. His father being a Dissenting minister, placed him
first under Dr. Jenkins, of Caermarthen, and subsequently at the
Hoxton Academy, where his brilliant talents and rapid progress
procured his being appointed at an early age mathematical tutor
to the institution, and afterwards resident tutor, which place he
retained for twenty-two years. He then removed, and became
resident tutor of the Natural Sciences at the Dissenting Academy
at Hackney, in 1786. He was minister of a Dissenting
congregation in St. Thomas’s, Southwark, and in the Old
Jewry. He was a fellow of the Royal and Linnean Societies,
and he obtained his doctor’s degree in Edinburgh, at the
express recommendation of the illustrious Robertson, the
historian. He was author of some other works, besides the
valuable and learned “Cyclopædia.” He
died in June, 1825, in his eighty-second year.
John Davydd Rhys, M.D., an eminent grammarian, was born
in the Isle of Anglesea, in 1534. He was educated at Christ
Church, Oxford, and entered the medical profession; he removed to
Sienna, where he took his doctor’s degree. While
there, he greatly distinguished himself by his skill in the
Italian language, the fruits of which are “De Italicæ
linguæ pronunciatione,” which was printed in Padua,
and “Rules for obtaining the Latin tongue,”
printed at Venice, in Italian. His valuable “Welsh
Grammar” was published in 1592, folio. His death took
place in the year 1609.
Peter Roberts, an eminent divine, and writer on British
history, was born at Rhiwabon, Denbighshire, in 1760. He
was educated at the Grammar-school of St. Asaph, and removed
thence to Trinity College, Dublin, where his abilities soon
became conspicuous. He applied himself to the study of
astronomy and the oriental languages; and at one time it was
supposed that he would have succeeded Dr. Usher, as professor of
astronomy in that University. He became afterwards private
tutor to several noblemen and gentlemen of rank; and in 1800, was
published, his “Harmony of the Epistles,” a work of
exceedingly high character and labour, which the University of
Cambridge printed at their own expense. Having been
presented to the living of Llanarmon, he dedicated his leisure
time to the elucidation of the antiquities of his native
country. The fruits of his labours in this department are
well known—“Collectanea Cambrica,” “Early
History of the Cymry,” and “Cambrian Popular
Antiquities.” He was presented also with the living
of Madely, in Shropshire, by Lord Crew. The living of
Llanarmon he subsequently exchanged for the rectory of Halkin,
Flintshire, where he died in 1819. As an excellent critic in his
native language, and equally so in Hebrew and Rabbinical
learning, his works are a sufficient proof; and his
“Letters to Volney” show to advantage the depth of
his reasoning powers and scientific acquirements.
William Roberts, D.D., was a native of Denbighshire,
where he was born in 1585. He was educated at Queen’s
College, Cambridge, where he became fellow, and subsequently
sub-dean of Wells, and rector of Llandyrnog. He was made
bishop of Bangor in 1637. During the great rebellion he
suffered much for his loyalty, and was deprived of all his
benefices, and all the church lands were sequestered; but,
however, he was restored to all in 1660. He was a great
benefactor to his cathedral, in which he erected an organ, and
bequeathed money for beautifying it. He founded an
exhibition for a scholar from the diocese of Bangor, in
Queen’s College, Cambridge, and a similar one in Jesus
College, Oxford. He left also 200l. to be
distributed among two parishes in the suburbs of London, which
were visited by the plague. He died near Denbigh, in the
year 1665.
Nicholas Robinson was a native of Aberconwy, in
Caernarvonshire, and was educated at Queen’s College,
Cambridge, where he obtained a fellowship, and was appointed
chaplain to Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was made
dean of Bangor in 1556, and obtained the sinecure rectory of
Northop, in Flintshire, in 1562, and he was likewise archdeacon
of Meirioneth. In 1566 he was raised to the bishopric of
Bangor; and he held the living of Whitney, in Oxfordshire, in
commendam. He died in 1585.
Henry Rowlands, D.D., was born in Mellteyrn, in
Caernarvonshire, in 1551, and was educated at New College,
Oxford. He obtained the rectory of his native parish in
1572, and subsequently of Launton, in Oxfordshire. He was
advanced to the deanery of Bangor in 1593, and was consecrated
bishop of the same diocese in 1598. He was a most
munificent benefactor to his cathedral, and bestowed great sums
in improving and adorning it. He also founded two
fellowships in Jesus College, Oxford; and bequeathed money for
the foundation of a school in his native place. He died in
1616.
Henry Rowlands, B.A., the author of the valuable and
learned work entitled “Mona Antiqua Restaurata,” was
a native of the Isle of Anglesea. Having taken orders, he
became vicar of Llanidan. He devoted his leisure time to
the examination of the antiquities which abound in his native
island; and his researches afford important information
concerning the language and manners of the Cymmry. He
endeavours to prove that Môn was the metropolitan seat of
the Druids; and his work first appeared in 1723, and a second edition was
published in London, in 1766. He died in 1722.
Grufydd Roberts, a learned grammarian, distinguished
himself by the publication of a valuable “Welsh
Grammar,” which was printed at Milan, in 1567.
Nothing is known of his history, besides that he was educated at
Sienna, in Italy, under the patronage of William Herbert, Earl of
Pembroke.
William Salusbury, an eminent antiquary, was a native
of Denbighshire, where he was born in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth. He was educated at Oxford, and entered the
profession of the law. He assisted in translating the New
Testament into Welsh, and he published also a Welsh version of
the “Epistles and Gospels,” besides a
“Dictionary,” and a “Treatise on
Rhetoric.” He died in 1570.
George Stepney, whose parents were of old families in
Pembrokeshire, was born in 1663. Having been entered on the
foundation of Westminster School, he removed in due time to
Trinity College, Cambridge, and while there, he acquired the
friendship of Mr. Montague, afterwards Earl of Halifax, and
through his patronage he was employed by government on several
important and confidential missions to the courts of
Brandenburgh, Vienna, Dresden, Mentz, and Cologne, and to the
congress of Frankfort. He was again employed on an embassy
to Holland in 1706; and after completing it successfully, he returned to
England in the following year, and a few months after he died in
Chelsea, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. He was a very
ingenious poet, and ranked high as a political writer; several of
his works obtained for him great credit.
Charles Symmons, D.D., was born in Caerdigan, in the
year 1749, which borough was represented by his father in three
successive parliaments. He was educated at Westminster
School, and the University of Glasgow, whence he subsequently
removed to Clare Hall, Cambridge, and in 1776 he took the degree
of bachelor of divinity at that University. Having given
offence by declaring some Whiggish principles in a sermon, which
destroyed all his prospects of promotion, and fearing some
obstacles when he proceeded to his doctor’s degree, he
removed to Jesus College, Oxford, where he took it in 1794.
He was presented to the living of Narberth and Lanpeter. As
an author, the greater portion of his works consisted of poetry,
and he published “Milton’s prose works, with a
Biographical Memoir.” He died at Bath, in 1826.
William Thomas was born in Wales, and was educated at
Oxford, where he took the degree of bachelor of canon law in
1529. Being obliged for some cause to leave the kingdom, he
travelled in Italy; and on his return to England, he published a
“History” of that country, in 1549,
quarto. He was appointed clerk of the council to King
Edward the Sixth, who bestowed upon him, though a layman, a
prebend in St. Paul’s Cathedral, and a living in
Wales. On the accession of Queen Mary, he was deprived of
his office and benefices, which treatment is supposed to have
instigated him to join in the rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyatt, for
which he was arrested, and being convicted, was executed at
Tyburn. He was also author of several less important
works.
William Thomas, D.D., was a native of South Wales,
where he was born in 1613. He was educated at Jesus
College, Oxford, where he proceeded through his degrees.
Having taken orders, he became vicar of Penbryn, in the time of
the great rebellion. On the Restoration, he was appointed
precentor of St. David’s, and rector of Llanbedr, in
Pembrokeshire, and subsequently dean of Worcester. He was
consecrated bishop of St. David’s in 1677, and in 1683 he
was translated to Worcester, where he died in 1689.
Josiah Tucker, D.D., an eminent political writer, was
the son of a Welsh gentleman of property, and was born in
1711. He was educated at St. John’s College, Oxford,
and entered into holy orders, being appointed to the curacy of
All Saints, Bristol; he afterwards became chaplain to Dr. Butler,
bishop of that diocese, by whom he was appointed to the rectory
of St.
Stephen’s, in the same city. He was author of
numerous political and controversial essays, some sermons, and a
multitude of treatises, and publications on commerce and
religion. He obtained a prebend in Bristol Cathedral, and
the deanery of Gloucester, in 1758. He died of an attack of
paralysis at the advanced age of eighty-eight, in the year
1799.
William Tyndale, the first translator of the Holy
Scriptures into the English language, was born in Wales, in 1500,
and after a learned education, he was entered at Magdalen Hall,
Oxford; he was afterwards a canon of Wolsey’s New College
of Christ’s Church, whence he was ejected on account of his
religious principles, which were liberal, and according with the
doctrines of Luther, who began to flourish at that time. He
took a degree in Cambridge, whither he had removed from Oxford;
but his opinions becoming known, rendered him obnoxious to some
of the dignitaries, and being reprimanded, he thought it prudent
to retire to the Continent, in order to publish his translation
of the Testament, which appeared in 1526, and was printed at
Antwerp. He commenced afterwards the translation of the
Pentateuch, and some other books of the Old Testament; but his
first publication, of which a second edition was widely diffused
over England, caused him to be marked as a victim to Popish
bigotry. Henry the Eighth employed a man to
betray him to the Emperor, and by his decree he was burnt as a
heretic at Augsburgh in 1536. He was author of some other
works; and his Testament hath by many eminent divines been
declared never to have been surpassed in clearness, and noble
simplicity of style.
Henry Vaughan, commonly known by his assumed name of
the Silurist, was born at Newton, in Brecknockshire, in the year
1621. He received his academical education at Jesus
College, Oxford, and afterwards settled in his native country,
where he practised medicine, although he does not appear to have
taken any degree in arts or medicine at the University. His
writings consist of a poem entitled “The Mount of
Olives,” “Thalia Rediviva,” “Olor
Iscanus,” and “Silex Scintillans, or The Bleeding
Heart.” He died in 1695, in the seventy-fourth year
of his age.
Thomas Vaughan was the brother of the above (Henry),
and a fellow of Jesus College. He was a man of great
natural abilities as well as learning; he was chiefly known from
some curious “Treatises on Alchymy and Judicial
Astrology,” to which, although a clergyman, he seems to
have been devoted. According to Wood’s Athenæ
Oxonenses, he had sense enough not to publish them in his in own
name, but under the assumed name of Eugenius Philalethes; they
are, however, now forgotten. He died rector of St.
Bridget’s, Brecknockshire.
Sir John Vaughan, an eminent and learned chief justice
of Common Pleas, was born in Caerdiganshire, in 1608. He
was educated at Worcester School, whence he removed to Christ
Church, Oxford, and subsequently to the Inner Temple.
During the civil wars he lived in retirement; but after the
Restoration he was elected member of parliament for the county of
Caerdigan, and in 1668 made chief justice of the Court of Common
Pleas. His death took place in 1674. Sir John
Vaughan’s “Reports and Arguments” in the Common
Pleas are all special cases, and ably reported. They were
first printed in 1677, and again by his son, Edward Vaughan, in
1706.
Richard Vaughan, D.D., an eminent and learned prelate,
was born in Caernarvonshire, and received his academical
education at St. John’s College, Cambridge, where he
graduated. Having entered the church, he became archdeacon
of Middlesex, and obtained also a canonry in Wells Cathedral, and
in 1595 he was raised to the bishopric of Bangor. Two years
after, he was translated to the see of Chester, and thence to
London, where he died in 1607.
Robert Vaughan, a distinguished and learned antiquary,
was a member of a very ancient family in Meirionethshire, and was
born at the family seat of Hengwrt, in that county. From
all his ample materials, he only published a small tract entitled
“British Antiquities Revived.” He formed a
noble and invaluable collection of Welsh manuscripts, which still
remain at Hengwrt. He died in 1667.
William Vaughan, an ingenious Welsh poet, was a member
of a very ancient and illustrious family, who have lived for
several centuries successively at Golden Grove, in
Caermarthenshire. He was born in 1577, and having gone
through the usual course of academical education at Jesus
College, Oxford, took the degree of L.L.D. in that
University. He was the author of a variety of miscellaneous
poems, the principal of which are a metrical version of the
“Psalms and Solomon’s Song,” “The Golden
Grove Moralized,” &c. Previously to his decease,
he went to Newfoundland, where he died in 1640.
John Walters, M.A., an eminent Welsh philologist and
divine, was the author of a valuable “English and Welsh
Dictionary,” which was published in quarto, in 1794.
It has since gone through two other editions, and he wrote a
learned “Dissertation on the Welsh Language,” printed
in 1771, besides some sermons. He was rector of Llandochan,
in Glamorgan, and died in the year 1797.
Daniel Williams, an eminent theological writer, and
Presbyterian divine, was a native of Wrexham, in Denbighshire,
where he was born in 1644. Not having received an education
in his earlier youth, he made up the deficiency by his unwearied
diligence and application; and devoting himself to the study of
divinity, he was, at the age of nineteen, ordained a preacher
among the Presbyterians. After officiating in various parts
in England, he went to Ireland as chaplain to the Countess of
Meath, and presided over a congregation in Dublin, where he
continued for twenty years; and married a lady of an honourable
family, and a considerable estate. He subsequently removed
to London, where he was chosen minister of a congregation of
Presbyterians in Bishopsgate-street; and in 1701, having become a
widower, he married a second wife, who survived him. His
learning and piety being held in great esteem, he was honoured
with the diploma of D.D. by the Universities of Edinburgh and
Glasgow; and he bequeathed estates for the support of six
Presbyterian students in the latter. His library, together
with a sum of money for its increase, was left by him, with the
liberal view of founding a public library in London, and which
led to the establishment of the celebrated Red cross street
Institution, which was opened in 1729. He died in 1716, and
left numerous legacies for charitable purposes. His works
were published in six volumes, octavo.
David Williams, a learned and ingenious writer, was born in
Cardiganshire. Having been educated at a Dissenting
Academy, he was appointed minister of a congregation at Frome,
Somersetshire, and afterwards at Exeter, then at Highgate, near
London. While in the metropolis, he distinguished himself
by numerous publications on education and morality. He left
his ministerial office among the Dissenters, and becoming
sceptical with regard to the Christian religion, he opened in
1776, a chapel for the celebration of public worship, on the
principles of natural religion, in Margaret-street,
Cavendish-square. The novelty of the institution at first
attracted the curiosity of the public, but it was finally closed,
and the lecturer turned his attention to private tuition.
He has obtained great and deserved reputation as being the
founder of the Literary Fund. He died in June, 1816.
Among his numerous works, several of which have been translated
into German, is a valuable “History of
Monmouthshire,” in two volumes, quarto.
Edward Williams, whose bardic appellation was Iolo
Morganwg, was a native of Glamorganshire, where he was born in
March, 1745. His father being a stone-mason, brought him up
to the same trade; but even in his early youth he was remarkable
for avoiding all diversions with boys of his own age, and was
pensive and thoughtful, eager in receiving the instructions of an
excellent mother, who grounded him well in the English
language. In 1770, on the death of his mother, he left
Wales, and travelled over several counties in England, in the
exercise of his calling, and studying architecture and other
sciences connected with it. He resided for several years in
London, Bristol, and other towns, and returned to Wales, where he
married in 1781. His first productions were Welsh poetry,
and he was a man of wonderful abilities as a Welsh and English
poet, and a skilful antiquary; he wrote English with great ease
and elegance. In 1794 he published two volumes of English
poetry, which consist of original compositions, and translations
from the Welsh, and in conjunction with Dr. Pughe and Mr Owain
Jones, edited the “Myvyrian Archaiology.” He
has left several valuable works in manuscript, especially
materials for a History of Wales, which it is greatly to be
lamented was not published in his lifetime. He died on the
17th of December, 1827, aged eighty-two.
Griffith Williams was a native of Caernarvon, in North
Wales, where he was born in the year 1589. He was educated
at Jesus’ College, Cambridge, and having taken orders, he
was appointed to the lectureship of St. Peter’s, Cheapside,
but his preaching so offended the Puritans, that they procured
his suspension. He obtained a living in Wales, and became
chaplain to the King, prebendary of Westminster, and dean of Bangor.
In 1641 he was created bishop of Ossory; and his death took place
at Kilkenny. He was the author of several works on
divinity.
John Williams, Archbishop of York, and Lord Keeper of
the Great Seal, was born at Aberconwy, in 1582. He was
educated at Ruthin School, and St. John’s College,
Cambridge, where he soon distinguished himself by his application
and splendid abilities, which were rewarded with a
fellowship. He was ordained in 1609, and soon after he
obtained the rectory of Grafton, in Northamptonshire. Being
appointed chaplain to Lord Ellesmere, then Lord Chancellor, he
ingratiated himself so much with his patron by his talents, that
he obtained through him rapid preferments, and was appointed one
of the royal chaplains. In 1619 he was made dean of
Salisbury, and soon after exchanged it for the deanery of
Westminster; in a short time he was appointed lord keeper, and
immediately afterwards he was raised to the bishopric of
Lincoln. He retained great influence at court during the
reign of James the First, and was the chief cause of the
promotion of Laud to the episcopal bench, who, however,
ungratefully joined in various persecutions to which the
Archbishop was subjected for several years; but his worth and
excellent character prevailed: he was restored to favour, and in
1641 he was raised to the archiepiscopal see of York. During the
civil war, he fortified Conwy Castle for the King’s use;
but after a seige, being surprised, he was compelled to give it
up on honourable terms to the parliamentary troops. He died
at Gloddaeth, near Conwy, on his birth-day, in 1650. He was
the author of several theological works, and an interesting
“History of his Life” was published by Bishop Hacket,
who had been his chaplain; and a more condensed biography
subsequently by Stephens, and also by Phillips.
John Williams, L.L.D., was born at Llanbedr-pont
Stephen in 1727. He was educated at the Grammar School of
the same town, where he acquired a competent knowledge of the
classics; being strongly inclined to the ministry, he was entered
at the age of nineteen at a Dissenting Academy, in Caermarthen,
where he went through the usual studies to be qualified for the
office of a minister. In 1752 he went to Stamford,
Lincolnshire, at the unanimous request of a congregation of
Protestant Dissenters, and in 1755 he removed to a similar
situation in Berkshire. Here he completed his
“Concordance to the Greek New Testament,” and
afterwards he removed to Sydenham, where he officiated for the
long period of twenty-eight years. In 1777 he was chosen
the curator of Redcross-street Library; and the lease of his
chapel expiring, he retired to Islington, where he remained until
his death, which took place in 1798. In his character, both
public and private, he was esteemed for the conscientious discharge
of his duty as a Christian minister, and for his literary
acquirements. He published several works on theology and
other subjects, which are of great merit, and enriched with
valuable information.
Roger Williams was a native of Wales, where he was born
in the year 1599. He was entered for the church, and was
accordingly educated for it; but adopting puritanical principles,
he emigrated to North America, where he founded the town of
Providence. He distinguished himself by his zeal for the
conversion of the Indians to Christianity, of whose language he
published a very useful “Manual and Glossary,” which
has been frequently reprinted. His colony thrived rapidly,
as he was decidedly opposed to all restraint in religion, and
granted to all who settled there free liberty of
conscience. He died in 1683.
Thomas Williams was a native of Caernarvonshire, and
received an University education at Oxford. He practised as
a physician at Trevriw, near Llanrwst, and he wrote a
“Welsh and Latin,” and “Latin and Welsh
Dictionary,” which he left in manuscript; and it was
subsequently published in 1632, with many additions and
corrections by Dr. John Davies. He made a good collection
of pedigrees, which he entitled “Priv achau holl Gymru
Benbaladr,” i.e. The Primitive Pedigrees of all Wales. In 1606
he was proceeded against as a Papist in the court of Bangor, and
in the following year he was excommunicated. There was
written also by him a large “List of Plants” in
Latin, Welsh, and English.
William Williams was a native of the Isle of
Anglesea. He was educated at Oxford, and in 1652 he was
elected scholar of Jesus’ College, whence he removed to
Gray’s Inn. In 1667 he was appointed recorder of the
city of Chester. When the Popish plot broke out, he sided
with the party then dominant; and in 1678 he was chosen one of
the representatives of the City of Chester, and again for the
parliament which sat in 1679, and a third time in 1680; in the
two last parliaments he was chosen speaker of the House of
Commons. After the Presbyterian plot broke out in 1683, he
became an advocate for them and the fanatics. When James
the Second came to the crown, he was taken into favour, and was
made solicitor-general instead of Sir Thomas Powis, who was
appointed attorney-general in 1687. Williams was knighted
on this occasion, and soon afterwards created a baronet. He
has published several of his eloquent speeches, besides some
other works.
Richard Wilson, the eminent landscape painter, was the
son of the Rev. John Wilson, rector of Penegoes, in
Montgomeryshire, where he was born in 1714. Having received a good
classical education, he was sent at the age of fifteen to London,
where he was apprenticed to a portrait painter: and he set up for
himself in London, and painted the portraits of the Prince of
Wales and Duke of York, who were then under the tuition of Bishop
Hayter, of Norwich. Not obtaining any great success in the
metropolis, he went to Italy, and meeting with the Earl of
Dartmouth, who saw the young painter’s great abilities,
proposed that he should travel with him to Naples, which being
readily accepted, enabled him to study some of the finest
specimens of painting. Here also he became conscious of his
particular excellence in landscape painting, at the height of
which branch he soon arrived. His reputation having become
now very great, he returned to England in 1755. Although
his abilities were esteemed, he was far from obtaining the
patronage which his extraordinary talents deserved, and it was
not until after his death that his works were duly
appreciated. After a long period of neglect, and insult,
caused by the mean jealousy of rivals, he died near Mold, in
1782, in the sixty-eighth year of his age.
William Worthington, D.D., an eminent theological
writer, was born in Meirionethshire in 1703. He received
his education at the Grammar School, in Oswestry, and
Jesus’ College, Oxford, where he proceeded through his
degrees. Having taken orders, he obtained various
preferment from Dr. Hare, then bishop of St. Asaph, he was rector
of Hope, and Darowen, and had a prebendal stall in the Cathedral
of St. Asaph, and another in York, to which he was appointed by
Archbishop Drummond, whose chaplain he had been. Among the
variety of his works, the principal are an “Essay on
Redemption,” “Evidences of Christianity,” and
“Sermons on Boyle’s Lectures.” He died in
1778.
Sir John Wynn of Gwydir, was born near Llanrwst, in the
year 1553. He was made a baronet on the creation of that
honour in 1615. He lived in retirement, and wrote a curious
and valuable work, entitled “The History of the Gwydir
family,” which was first printed in 1773, octavo. He
was a member of the council of the marches, and was well versed
in the history and antiquities of his native country, and a great
patron of its literature. Inigo Jones was born on his
estate, and enjoyed the patronage of the family who first brought
him to notice. He died in 1626, in the seventy-third year
of his age.
John Wynne, was born at Caerwys, Flintshire, and was
educated for some time at Northop School, from whence he removed
to Ruthin, and received his academical education at Jesus’
College, Oxford, where he obtained a fellowship. He
became rector of Llangelynin, in Caernarvonshire, and prebendary
of Brecon. He was appointed also the Lady Margaret’s
professor of divinity, and by virtue of that, he had a prebend in
Worcester Cathedral in 1705. He was elected principal of
Jesus’ College in 1712, and was advanced to the bishopric
of St. Asaph in 1714. He was a very learned divine, and
extremely liberal in the repairing of his cathedral, which had
suffered great damage by a violent storm soon after his
appointment. He was translated to the diocese of Bath and
Wells in 1727, and died in July, 1743.
John Huddleston Wynne, an eminent writer on
miscellaneous subjects, was born of a respectable family in Wales
in 1743. He was brought up to the profession of a printer,
which he followed for some time in London; he afterwards obtained
a commission in the army, which he quitted and commenced
author. His principal works are “A General History of
the British Empire in America,” and “A History of
Ireland.” He died in 1788. His uncle,
Richard Wynne, M.A., of All Soul’s College,
Oxford, was rector of St. Alphage, London, and of Ayot St.
Lawrence, in Hertfordshire. He published the New Testament
in English, carefully collated with the Greek, two volumes,
octavo. He died in 1799.
Philip Yorke, an eminent antiquarian, and author
of a learned work entitled “The Royal Tribes of
Wales,” was born at Erddig, near Wrexham, in Denbighshire,
in 1743. After a liberal education, he was entered at Benet
College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. He represented
successively in parliament the boroughs of Halston and
Grantham. He died in 1804.