MALKIN, BENJAMIN HEATH (1769 - 1842), antiquary and author

Born (says his tombstone) 23 March 1769, in London. His career is described in D.N.B.; he graduated at both universities (becoming D.C.L., Oxon., 1810), was headmaster of Bury S. Edmund's grammar school, 1809-28, and professor of history in London University in 1830, was F.S.A., and published several books. To turn to his Welsh associations: his wife, Charlotte, was the daughter of Thomas Williams, B.D., of Llanblethian, Glamorganshire, master of Cowbridge grammar school and curate of Cowbridge. Malkin travelled in South Wales (1803) and in 1804 published a book which is far better known in its second, two-volume, ed., The Scenery, Antiquities, and Biography of South Wales. This is by far the best of the old travel-books on South Wales - acute and interesting in its observation, usually tolerant in its judgements, with a substantial knowledge of Welsh history and (up to a point) of Welsh literature. From c. 1830 Malkin resided at the Old Hall, Cowbridge. He interested himself in the life of Glamorgan, founded 'The Society for the improvement of the working population in … Glamorgan' (of which he was president and secretary), and edited its twelve pamphlets (list in Cardiff Catalogue, 452-3); he also published separately a lecture delivered by him to the Society. He died at Cowbridge 26 May 1842, and he and his wife are commemorated in an inscription in the church. His son, Sir BENJAMIN MALKIN, who died before him (1837), was a judge at Calcutta and a friend of Macaulay 's.

Author

• Emeritus Professor Robert Thomas Jenkins, (1881 - 1969)

Sources

• Hopkin-James, Old Cowbridge. Borough, Church, and School (Cardiff 1922),
• and the references given above

Further Reading

• Wikipedia Article: Benjamin Heath Malkin

Additional Links

• VIAF: 29878568
• Wikidata: Q4888802

Published date: 1959

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