EVANS, JOHN YOUNG (1865 - 1941), minister (Presb.), professor at Trefeca College and afterwards at the Theological College, Aberystwyth

Born 16 November 1865, at Dowlais, Glamorganshire, the son of John Bennett Evans and Ellen his wife. He was educated at Merthyr Tydfil Grammar School and was a scholar of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and Corpus Christi Oxford, graduating M.A. (London and Oxford) with first-class honours in classics and B.D. (London). He was appointed to a chair at Trefeca before completing his course at Oxford (1891), and he moved to Aberystwyth when the United Theological College was established there in 1906. He was responsible for the instruction of students in classics, English literature, the New Testament, and in later years church history. He was for many years examiner for Oxford Locals and the Central Welsh Board, and was dean of the University of Wales faculty of theology, 1922-26. He was the author of a Welsh commentary on St. Luke's Gospel, 1927, and wrote a great deal to newspapers and periodicals on classical, historical and religious subjects (see the list in Who Was Who, 1941-50). Following his ordination in 1897, he was Davies lecturer ('Cymun Corff Crist'), 1928, Moderator of the Association in the South, 1941-42; he died before the end of his term, 26 December 1941.

He was a man of extraordinary knowledge in more than one field, but his ability to impart his learning was not commensurate with his knowledge, though no one was more ready to help students who sought his advice. He was an entertaining conversationalist, with a story and an apt saying constantly at his command and many of the characteristics of the old scholars were represented in him; he was fond of alliteration in articles, letters, and even in examination papers. He was one of a small group of Welshmen, including Sir Joseph Bradney who corresponded with one another in Latin. He had many of his poems in Welsh and in Latin printed for distribution among his friends.

He married Ellen, daughter of John Morgan, J.P., of Brecon, and they had a son and two daughters.

Author

• Reverend Gwilym Arthur Edwards, (1881 - 1963)

Sources

• Cylchgrawn Cymdeithas Hanes y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, 27, 79-83
• Y Goleuad, 1942
• Y Drysorfa, 1942
• Who was who?, 1941-50

Works

• J. Young Evans, Y dduwinyddiaeth newydd a duwinyddiaeth y Testament Newydd (Dolgellau 1908)
• J. Young Evans, Buchedd Frynach a'i arwyrain (Pembroke County Guardian 1911)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20804734

Published date: 2001

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