George Eyre Evans
George Eyre Evans | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Portrait of George Eyre Evans from c. 1908 | |
| Born | 8 September 1857 |
| Died | 9 November 1939 (aged 82) |
| Occupations | Cleric, antiquarian |
| Employer | |
| Father | David Lewis Evans |
| Relatives | Catherine Powell Evans |
Reverend George Eyre Evans (8 September 1857 – 9 November 1939) was an antiquarian and Unitarian minister from Wales.[1]
Early life
Evans was born in 1857 in Colyton, Devon, the son of Rev. David Lewis Evans (1813–1902) and Ophelia Catherine Powell (1823–1866).[2][3] He moved to Carmarthen in 1864.[3] His mother died when he was young, and he and his other siblings were raised by his aunt, Laura Hirtzel Powell.[4]
Evan received his schooling at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, William Thomas' school in Llandysul and Liverpool University.[1][3]
Career
Antiquarian
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Evans researched for the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments in Wales and Monmouthshire for 18 years. He was a founding member of the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society, in 1906, acting as secretary for 33 years until his death. From 1903, he was a member of the Cambrian Archaeological Society. He was a member of the Council of the Unitarian Historical Society.[1][3][5][6][7][8]
In 1910, he was appointed the Inspecting Officer of the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments.[7]
He published a number of history books, including Vestiges of Protestant Dissent (1897), and also left many unpublished manuscripts.[1][3][8]
He became a governor of UCW Aberystwyth in 1919 and was elected to the council of the National Museum of Wales in 1921 and the council of the National Library of Wales in 1924.[3]
Minister
Evans was the minister at Whitchurch between 1889 and 1897 and then at the Unitarian Chapel, Aberystwyth between 1898 and 1928.[1][3]
Personal life
He joined the Boy Scouts and became County Scout Commissioner for Carmarthenshire. In 1928, he became Deputy Scout Commissioner for Wales.[7][8]
In 1937, he was made a Freeman of the Borough of Carmarthen.[8]
Death
Evans died in Carmarthen on 9 November 1939 at the age of 82. His ashes were scattered at Allt-y-blaca graveyard.[1][3]
Legacy
George Eyre Evans' papers were donated to the National Library of Wales.[2]
The Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society mounted a blue plaque in honour of George Eyre Evans on the building at 5 Quay Street in Carmarthen where he founded and worked in a museum.[7][8]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Oswald Williams, Thomas (1959). "EVANS, GEORGE EYRE (1857 - 1939), Unitarian minister and antiquary". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 "George Eyre Evans Bequest". National Library of Wales Archives and Manuscripts. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "George Eyre Evans Collection". Jisc Archives Hub. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- ↑ "Laura Hirtzell Powell". Women of West Wales | Narberth Museum. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- ↑ Carmarthenshire Museum. "George Eyre Evans (1857–1939) by Joseph Milner (1880–1940)". Art UK.
- ↑ "History". Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Carmarthen Town Blue Plaque Trail" (PDF). Carmarthen Civic Society – via Discover Carmarthenshire.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Steers, David (17 September 2024). "G.E. Evans and the 'Vestiges of Protestant Dissent'". velvethummingbee. Retrieved 28 July 2026.