James Williams (cleric)

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James Williams (baptized 26 July 1790 – 24 March 1872) was a Welsh cleric.

[edit] Life

Williams was the son of John Williams, the rector of Llanddeusant, Llangaffo, and Llanfairynghornwy (all parishes on the island of Anglesey, North Wales), who was the younger brother of Thomas Williams, the Welsh copper industrialist. James Williams was educated at Jesus College, Oxford, matriculating in 1807, and obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1810. He was a Fellow of Jesus College from 1813 to 1822, and was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1820. After being ordained, he was appointed curate of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll and Penmynydd (both on Anglesey) in 1814. He left these parishes in 1821 to succeed his father in his parish positions on his father's retirement. He became chancellor of Bangor Cathedral in 1851.^[1] Williams was a magistrate and also had an interest in agriculture, contributing some notes to a book on cattle breeding in 1869. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the National Eisteddfod. He was also instrumental, with Morris Williams, in the introduction of John Rhys, who at that time was teaching in Anglesey, to Charles Williams, Principal of Jesus College, which led to Rhys obtaining a scholarship to study at the college.^[1] Rhys went on to become the first Jesus Professor of Celtic at Oxford University and Principal of Jesus College himself.

[edit] Other family members

His elder brother, John Williams, also studied at Jesus College and became a barrister. One of John Williams' grandsons was Ralph Champneys Williams, who later became Governor of the Windward Islands and Governor of Newfoundland.^[2]

[edit] References