Harry Longueville Jones

Harry Longueville Jones (1806–1870), was a Welsh archæologist, artist, Inspector of Schools for Wales and leading founding member of the Cambrian Archaeological Association.

Life

Jones was the son of Edward Jones by Charlotte Elizabeth Stephens, was born in Piccadilly, London, in 1806. His father was second son of Captain Thomas Jones of Wrexham, who adopted the additional name of Longueville on succeeding to a portion of the Longueville estates in Shropshire. Jones was educated at a private school at Ealing, whence he proceeded to St. John's College, Cambridge, but subsequently migrated to Magdalene College, where he graduated B.A. in 1828 (being seventh wrangler) and M.A. in 1832.^[1] He was elected fellow of his college, and held the offices of lecturer and dean, took holy orders in 1829, and for a short period was curate of Connington in the diocese of Ely, but does not seem to have undertaken further clerical duty. Soon after 1834 he settled in Paris, where he is said to have edited a reissue of 'Galignani's Paris Guide.'

Tower, Broncoed, near Mold 1846. Soft Ground etching by Harry Longueville Jones. Archaeologia Cambrensis 1846. Vol 1. pg54

Jones interested himself in the reform of university education, and in 1836 a paper of his was read before the Statistical Society of Manchester, urging the inhabitants to establish in their town a university college in connection with the University of London. The suggestion was not acted upon, but on Jones's return from France he started a college of his own in Manchester; this, however, met with little success, and was shortly afterwards abandoned, though it prepared the way for the establishment of Owens College in 1851. Before 1846 Jones moved to Beaumaris, and in 1849 was appointed Inspector for schools in Wales in the Privy Council Office. His work was lessened subsequently by the appointment, first of an assistant and then of a separate inspector. Ill-health compelled his retirement about 1864. After some years' residence in Brighton he settled in Kensington, London, where he died 10 November 1870. Jones married in 1834 Frances, second daughter of Robert Plowden Weston of Shropshire.

While he resided at Beaumaris Jones issued, in January 1846, with the assistance of the Rev. John Williams (ab Ithel), the first number of a periodical which he entitled Archaeologia Cambrensis. The publication led to the expression of a desire for the establishment of an association to study Welsh archaeology. Jones accordingly organised a meeting at Aberystwith in September 1847, and the Cambrian Archæological Association was then founded. The production of the journal caused Jones serious loss, and after the fourth volume it was taken over, in 1850, by the Cambrian Archaeological Association. Jones resumed as editor in 1855 until his death in 1875. It contains many articles by him, and many engravings of his drawings, particularly of cromlechs, inscribed stones and churches.

Works

• Illustrations of the Natural Scenery of the Snowdonian Mountains, accompanied by a description of the County of Carnarvon, London, 1829.
• Plan of a University for the town of Manchester, 58 pp., Manchester, 1836.
• Memorials of Cambridge, with Historical and Descriptive Accounts, 2 vols., 1841. This was written by him and Thomas Wright, and published by the engraver John Le Keux.
• Essays and papers on literary and historical subjects, reprinted from Blackwood's Magazine and other periodicals, London, 1870.

References

 "Jones, Harry Longueville". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.  Check date values in: |date= (help)

Engravings and Soft Ground Etchings by Harry Longueville Jones