EVANS, JANET (c. 1894 - 1970), journalist and civil servant
Date of birth: 1894
Date of death: 1970
Parent: Margaret Evans (née Davies)
Parent: Thomas John Evans
Gender: Female
Occupation: journalist and civil servant
Area of activity: Literature and Writing; Printing and Publishing; Public and Social Service, Civil Administration
Author: Mary Auronwy James
Born in London c. 1894, daughter of Thomas John Evans and Margaret (née Davies), 82 Addington Mansions, Highbury, both natives of Cardiganshire. She received private tuition before going to the Central Foundation Girls' School and subsequently attending courses held by London University. After obtaining comprehensive secretarial training she eventually became private secretary to the managing director of the exporting firm Amalgamated Anthracite Collieries, Ltd. in London. Despite being brought up in London, she took a deep interest in everything Welsh and was special correspondent on Welsh affairs to London newspapers. She travelled widely in Europe and twice went to America to visit relatives and give lectures to Welsh communities there. At the beginning of World War II she was for 2 years engaged in the intelligence section of the B.B.C. at Evesham, monitoring English broadcasts from foreign countries. During 1942-45 she travelled much in Wales as Woman Power Officer for Wales. She gave popular lectures, particularly on the London and American Welsh, and broadcast frequently in the series Gwraig y tŷ, Woman's Hour, and other programmes, c. 1947-54. She played a prominent part in Welsh social life in London, being the first woman chair of the London Welsh Association, and the first woman to be elected to the council of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion. She became president of the London Cardiganshire Society and served as sub-editor of the society's Handbook, 1936-39 and editor for five years when publication of the magazine was resumed in 1952. She did not marry. After retiring to Cardiganshire she died 11 December 1970 and her ashes were interred at Capel Erw, Cellan.
Author
- Dr Mary Auronwy James
- The Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1970, part i, 138-40
- The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard, 25 December 1970
- Janet Evans' papers at N.L.W.
Sources
- Wikidata: Q20733336
Additional Links
Published date: 2001
Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
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