EVANS, JOHN JOHN (1862 - 1942), journalist

Born 9 December 1862, at Llanberis, Caernarfonshire. He was educated at the local primary school but left to work in the quarry. He competed at literary meetings and took an interest in drama, being a member of the Llanberis company, the first Welsh drama company to be formed in Wales. During the Llanberis strike of 1886 he was told by Tecwyn Parry, minister of Gorffwysfa, who was responsible for the poetry column in Y Faner, that Thomas Gee required a young correspondent in his office. J.J. Evans secured the post and after settling in Denbigh he devoted his energies to his work and to master shorthand. He became a skilled journalist in both Welsh and English. He later became Thomas Gee's private secretary and during this period he contributed many articles to the Welsh encyclopaedia (Y Gwyddoniadur Cymreig). He afterwards became editor of Y Faner and later of the North Wales Times. He reported all the main meetings of the Vale of Clwyd for over half a century and represented Y Faner on his own at the national eisteddfod for many years. He attended the first meeting of the Denbighshire county council and was present at every meeting until his editorial duties tied him to his office. He acted for a long period as interpreter at the assizes and the quarter sessions. He was the Vale of Clwyd correspondent for the Liverpool Daily Post, Liverpool Echo, and the Manchester Guardian, for over fifty years. He married Margaret Evans of Henllan in 1864, and they had seven children. He died 22 April 1942 in Denbigh, as the result of an accident.

Author

• Katherine Williams, (1891 - 1985)

Sources

• Personal knowledge

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20733486

Published date: 2001

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