The National Library of Wales :: Dictionary of Welsh Biography

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SALTER DAVIES, ERNEST (1872-1955), educationalist; b. 25 Oct. 1872, s. of Thomas Davies, minister (B) and president of the Baptist College, and his wife Emma Rebecca, Haverfordwest, Pembs. He attended Haverfordwest Grammar School and U.C.W., Aberystwyth and entered Jesus College, Oxford, as a classical scholar. He was for a long period a leading figure in educational administration and thought in England. He began his career as a teacher, first at Glasgow Academy, 1895-96, then at Cheltenham Grammar School until he became an inspector for higher education in Kent in 1904 and rose to be director of education for that county in 1918, a post he held with distinction until he retired in 1938. In addition, he was educational adviser to the army in 1918 and to Maidstone prison from 1923 to 1938 and was elected president of several educational and library societies. His services were acknowledged when he was made a C.B.E. in 1932 and received an honorary M.A. degree of the University of Adelaide in 1937.

Even after his retirement he remained active and influential in the field of education. He served as a member of the committee on Higher Agricultural Education for the Ministry of Agriculture in 1940 and the Central Council for School Broadcasting until 1948, being chairman of the Rural Schools Committee. He also became chairman of many bodies including the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust (1946-51), of which he had been a life trustee since 1924.

Among his publications are The Aim of Education (National Adult School Union); The Reorganisation of Education in England (New Education Fellowship); Education for Industry and for Life; Technical Education (The Schools of England). He also edited Kenilworth and The Fortunes of Nigel by Scott for use in schools. As editor of The Journal of Education, the paper's respected reputation was upheld by him from 1939 to within a few months of his death at the age of 83.

He m., 1900, Evelyn May Lile (d. 1951) of Tenby and they had two sons. He d. 10 June 1955 at his home in 13 Chichester Road, East Croydon, Surrey.

Bibliography:

Www;
The Times, 11 June 1955, l0f.

Author:

Dr Mary Auronwy James, Aberystwyth