EVANS, THOMAS JOHN (1863 - 1932), journalist

Born in the parish of Cellan, Cardiganshire, 2 December 1863, the son of Evan Evans of Glanrhyd, Llanfair Clydogau, and Jane, formerly Hughes, of Pensingrig, Cellan. He began his career as a teacher in the school of his native parish but went to London to work as a clerk in 1882 and for fifty years was actively associated with Welsh life in the metropolis. He did much to revivify and popularize literary societies attached to the Welsh churches in London and assisted in founding several social clubs and societies for Welshmen in London. He founded in 1895 the London Kelt, a bilingual weekly newspaper which, except for two brief interludes, he also edited for a period of twenty years until it ceased publication during the paper shortage of the first world war. In the heyday of Welsh Liberalism he was the friend and supporter of the brilliant young men of his generation - Tom Ellis, David Lloyd George, William Llewelyn Williams, and Ellis Jones Griffith. A notable collector of Welsh books and books pertaining to Wales, he was also an authority on the history of Welsh societies and settlements in London. He was a member of the council of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion. A genial and friendly personality who possessed to a remarkable degree the gift for retaining friendships with men of all creeds and opinions, he was also untiring in his efforts to assist young Welshmen in the metropolis. He married 1891, Margaret, daughter of Lewis Davies of Lampeter; they had two daughters, Magdalen Mary, who died in infancy, and Janet. He died 13 May 1932.

Author

• John Evans, (1877 - 1958)

Sources

• Personal knowledge
• [In its first two years, the Kelt bore the title London Kelt.]

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20734474

Published date: 1959

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