LEWIS, THOMAS (1837 - 1892), Independent minister and tutor

Born at Mydroilyn, Cardiganshire. Educated at Ystrad Meurig, he kept a school for a time at Crug-y-bar. In 1862 he went to Carmarthen Presbyterian College; in 1864 he took over charge of the Parc-y-felfed school, and after three years there went to Manchester College, from which he graduated B.A. (London) with first class honours. He then went to Cardiff where he kept a high-school, with outstanding success.

In 1874 he was appointed an assistant tutor at Bala Independent college during the absence of the principal, M. D. Jones, who had gone to the U.S.A. to collect money for the college. In the 'battle of the constitutions' - see under Michael D. Jones - he sided with the reformers, but was of too gentle a disposition to play a prominent part in the dispute. He was appointed principal of the College of the 'New Constitution' which was first located at Plas-yn-dre, Bala, and later moved to Bangor. His health broke down before long and he went on a sea voyage, but died at Port Said 11 February 1892, where he was buried.

A fine scholar and one of nature's gentlemen, it was a tragedy for one of his temperament to have been in any way associated with the kind of turmoil which took place at Bala, and there is no doubt that this affected his health and shortened his life.

Author

• Reverend Richard Griffith Owen, (1890 - 1973)

Sources

• E. Pan Jones, Oriel Coleg Presbyteraidd, Caerfyrddin: yn cynwys hanes yr holl fyfyrwyr fu yn y coleg o 1796 hyd 1899 (Merthyr Tydfil 1909), 106
• G. D. Owen, Ysgolion a Cholegau yr Annibynwyr (1939), 179-80

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20734498

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/