Dictionary of Welsh Biography logo
Timeline
Cymraeg
Home Browse Authors A-Z
PDF Print Cite

THOMAS, ROBERT JERMAIN (1840 - 1866), missionary pioneer of the London Missionary Society

Name: Robert Jermain Thomas
Date of birth: 1840
Date of death: 1866
Gender: Male
Occupation: missionary pioneer of the London Missionary Society
Area of activity: Religion
Author: Evan Lewis Evans

Born 7 September 1840 at Rhayader, Radnorshire; his father was a Congregational minister at that place and later at Hanover, Monmouthshire. He served as a teacher at Oundle in 1856, and matriculated in the University of London. He offered himself to the missionary field, studied at New College, London, and graduated in the University (B.A.). Ordained in 1863, he sailed for his appointment in Shanghai. He visited Korea in 1865 and gained some knowledge of its language. In 1866 he was given charge of the Anglo-Chinese school in Peking, but later he offered to join in an expedition to Korea, when he and all the passengers and crew were captured by the Koreans and put to death. He succeeded in throwing some of the Bibles on to the shore, and these were read with effect. In 1931 a ' Robert Jermain Thomas Memorial Church ' was built near the spot where he died; this memorial was erected by the natives.

Author

Published date: 1959

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

PDF Print Cite

The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is provided by The National Library of Wales and the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. It is free to use and does not receive grant support. A donation would help us maintain and improve the site so that we can continue to acknowledge Welsh men and women who have made notable contributions to life in Wales and beyond.

Find out more on our sponsorship page.

Donate