Thomas (Tom) Jones, CH (27 September 1870 – 15 October 1955) was a British civil servant and educationalist, once described as "one of the six most important men in Europe", and also as "the King of Wales" and "man of a thousand secrets".
Born at 100 High Street, Rhymney, Monmouthshire, Jones was familiarly known as "T.J." He was Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet under four Prime Ministers: Lloyd George, Andrew Bonar Law, Stanley Baldwin and Ramsay MacDonald. His 3-volume Whitehall Diary threw much light on politics "behind the scenes", including the Irish Treaty, the 1926 General Strike, the meetings between Lloyd George and Adolf Hitler, the Cliveden Set, and so on. In 1914 he had started the magazine Welsh Outlook to promote national social progress.
A friend of many rich and influential people including the Astors, Jones excelled at extracting money from rich people for worthwhile causes, notably adult education; he founded Coleg Harlech in 1927, was instrumental in the founding of Newbattle Abbey College, and was secretary, trustee and chairman of the Pilgrim Trust).
He was Chairman of Gregynog Press throughout its existence, and also helped set up CEMA, the Committee for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (forerunner of the Arts Council) as well as the Army Bureau of Current Affairs (designed to 'supply mental stimulant' to British troops during the Second World War).
Towards the end of his life Jones became President of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and was awarded the Gold Medal of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, as well as finally agreeing to become a Companion of Honour. He died in London.
Jones' daughter, Eirene White, was a Labour politician and minister.
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| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Edmund Davies, Baron Edmund-Davies |
President of the University College of Wales Aberystwyth 1944-1954 |
Succeeded by Sir David Hughes Parry |