LEWIS, DAVID MORGAN (1851-1937), Congregational minister, afterwards professor of physics;
b. 27 Sept. at Henllan, a small farm situated between Eglwyswrw and Felindre, north Pembs., the eldest of the five children of Evan Lewis (1813-1896), minister of the Congregational church at Brynberian, and his wife, Catherine Morgan, of the parish of Llan-gan, near Whitland, and a sister to William Morgan (1818-1884) (q.v.). He received his early education at Palmer's School, Cardigan, and at the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen. In 1872 he proceeded to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated as a ‘wrangler’; later he studied at the Cavendish laboratories. He began to preach at an early age, and in 1878 was ordained as minister of the English Congregational church at Hirwaun. After five years he gave up the ministry and returned to Cambridge for a further year. In 1884 he was appointed a lecturer in physics at University College, Bangor, and in 1891 professor of physics at University College Aberystwyth, where he remained until his retirement in 1919. Although he had left the ministry as a young man he was a prominent figure in Congregational circles throughout his life. He compiled a biography of his father, Cofiant y Diweddar Barchedig Evan Lewis, Brynberian, 1813-96, which was published in 1903. After his retirement he made a special study of Welsh hymnology, especially the hymns of Ann Griffiths, and published several articles on the subject in periodicals, e.g. Y Llenor, 1924, and Y Cofiadur, 1934. He m. Annie Margaret, daughter of T. Powell, Carreg Cennen, Llandeilo. He d. 28 July 1937, and was buried at Aberystwyth.
Bibliography:
- D. M. Lewis, Cofiant … Evan Lewis, Brynberian;
- Y Tyst, 5 Aug. 1937;
- The Welsh Gazette, 5 Aug. 1937;
- Camb. News, 6 Aug. 1937;
- The Dragon, Michaelmas 1937.
Author:
Gildas Tibbott M.A., (1900-79), Aberystwyth
