Daniel Silvan Evans
Encyclopedia
Daniel Silvan Evans was a Welsh scholar and lexicographer.
He was born at Fron Wilym Uchaf, Llanarth, Ceredigion
. Having started to preach to the Independent congregation of which he was a member, Evans decided at a relatively young age, to train for the ministry. He entered St David's College
, Lampeter, in 1846, with the intention of taking holy orders
in the established church, but Welsh lectures at the college sparked a new interest – the study of the Welsh language
.
Although Evan’s first publications were religious in nature - collections of his own poems and hymn
s (1843 and 1846) - the study of the Welsh language soon absorbed all his attention. In 1847 he started publishing his first significant work, a concise English-Welsh dictionary
, which was finished by 1858. He was also a keen editor and translator. Among many other literary projects, he contributed articles to Y Gwyddoniadur and edited Y Brython from 1858 to 1860. He produced two editions of Ellis Wynne
’s Bardd Cwsc (1858 to 1860), contributed translations to Skene
’s The Four Ancient Books of Wales
(1868) and edited William Rowlands’ Cambrian Bibliography in 1869.
Evans’ main interest, and most significant work, was in the field of lexicography
. In 1887 the first part of his Dictionary of the Welsh Language (Geiriadur Cymraeg) was published, followed by further volumes. Every important word was illustrated by examples of their use from Welsh literature. This was a huge task for one man to attempt, and whilst Evans had produced over 1,900 pages at the time of his death, he had only reached the letter E.
In later life Evans’ eminence as a Welsh scholar received full recognition. Saint David’s College
, Lampeter, had conferred the honorary degree of BD
upon him in 1868 and in 1873, he was appointed examiner in Welsh at Lampeter. In 1875, the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
made Evans Professor of Welsh, a post which he retained on a part-time basis until 1884. In 1897 he was elected to a research fellowship in Jesus College, Oxford
, and in 1901 the newly established University of Wales
gave him the honorary degree of DLitt. He was made honorary canon of Bangor
in 1888, prebendary
of Llanfair
in 1891, and chancellor of the cathedral in 1895. From January 1872 to August 1875 he was editor of Archaeologia Cambrensis.
Evans died at the rectory in Llanwrin
, and was buried in an unmarked grave at Cemaes
, Montgomeryshire
. A headstone and tablet were placed on his previously unmarked grave in an elaborate ceremony, by the Bishop of Bangor
on 5 July 1956, and unveiled by a former professor of Welsh at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
, T. H. Parry-Williams
. Three sons and three daughters pre-deceased Evans; his surviving son, John Henry Silvan Evans, assisted his father in his lexicographical work. This, together with many of Evans’ editorial publications, is still highly regarded in the academic study of the Welsh language.
He was born at Fron Wilym Uchaf, Llanarth, Ceredigion
Llanarth, Ceredigion
- Location :The village is located on the A487 between Aberystwyth and Cardigan and is within three miles of both Aberaeron and New Quay.- Amenities :...
. Having started to preach to the Independent congregation of which he was a member, Evans decided at a relatively young age, to train for the ministry. He entered St David's College
University of Wales, Lampeter
University of Wales, Lampeter is a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822 by royal charter, it is the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales and may be the third oldest in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge...
, Lampeter, in 1846, with the intention of taking holy orders
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
in the established church, but Welsh lectures at the college sparked a new interest – the study of the Welsh language
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
.
Although Evan’s first publications were religious in nature - collections of his own poems and hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s (1843 and 1846) - the study of the Welsh language soon absorbed all his attention. In 1847 he started publishing his first significant work, a concise English-Welsh dictionary
Dictionary
A dictionary is a collection of words in one or more specific languages, often listed alphabetically, with usage information, definitions, etymologies, phonetics, pronunciations, and other information; or a book of words in one language with their equivalents in another, also known as a lexicon...
, which was finished by 1858. He was also a keen editor and translator. Among many other literary projects, he contributed articles to Y Gwyddoniadur and edited Y Brython from 1858 to 1860. He produced two editions of Ellis Wynne
Ellis Wynne
Ellis Wynne was a Welsh clergyman and author of one of the most important and influential pieces of Welsh language literature....
’s Bardd Cwsc (1858 to 1860), contributed translations to Skene
William Forbes Skene
William Forbes Skene , Scottish historian and antiquary, was the second son of Sir Walter Scott's friend, James Skene , of Rubislaw, near Aberdeen....
’s The Four Ancient Books of Wales
Four Ancient Books of Wales
The Four Ancient Books of Wales is a term coined by William Forbes Skene to describe four important medieval manuscripts written in Middle Welsh and dating from the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries. They contain primarily texts of poetry and prose, some of which are contemporary and others which may...
(1868) and edited William Rowlands’ Cambrian Bibliography in 1869.
Evans’ main interest, and most significant work, was in the field of lexicography
Lexicography
Lexicography is divided into two related disciplines:*Practical lexicography is the art or craft of compiling, writing and editing dictionaries....
. In 1887 the first part of his Dictionary of the Welsh Language (Geiriadur Cymraeg) was published, followed by further volumes. Every important word was illustrated by examples of their use from Welsh literature. This was a huge task for one man to attempt, and whilst Evans had produced over 1,900 pages at the time of his death, he had only reached the letter E.
In later life Evans’ eminence as a Welsh scholar received full recognition. Saint David’s College
University of Wales, Lampeter
University of Wales, Lampeter is a university in Lampeter, Wales. Founded in 1822 by royal charter, it is the oldest degree awarding institution in Wales and may be the third oldest in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge...
, Lampeter, had conferred the honorary degree of BD
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
upon him in 1868 and in 1873, he was appointed examiner in Welsh at Lampeter. In 1875, the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth University is a university located in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding Member Institution of the former federal University of Wales. As of late 2006, the university had over 12,000 students spread across seventeen academic departments.The university was founded in 1872 as...
made Evans Professor of Welsh, a post which he retained on a part-time basis until 1884. In 1897 he was elected to a research fellowship in Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
, and in 1901 the newly established University of Wales
University of Wales
The University of Wales was a confederal university founded in 1893. It had accredited institutions throughout Wales, and formerly accredited courses in Britain and abroad, with over 100,000 students, but in October 2011, after a number of scandals, it withdrew all accreditation, and it was...
gave him the honorary degree of DLitt. He was made honorary canon of Bangor
Bangor Cathedral
Bangor Cathedral is an ancient place of Christian worship situated in Bangor, Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It is dedicated to its founder, Saint Deiniol....
in 1888, prebendary
Prebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
of Llanfair
Llanfair, Gwynedd
Llanfair is a village and community in the Ardudwy area of Gwynedd in Wales. It has a population of 474.The village of Llanfair is situated to the east of the A496 coastal road between Llanbedr and Harlech....
in 1891, and chancellor of the cathedral in 1895. From January 1872 to August 1875 he was editor of Archaeologia Cambrensis.
Evans died at the rectory in Llanwrin
Llanwrin
Llanwrin is a small village in the valley of the Afon Dyfi in Powys about two miles north-east of Machynlleth.-History and background:Historically, it was in the county of Montgomeryshire ....
, and was buried in an unmarked grave at Cemaes
Cemaes
Cemaes is a village on the north coast of Anglesey in Wales , on Cemaes Bay, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is partly owned by the National Trust. Population 1,392 . It is home to both a wind farm and a nuclear power station . It is also a fishing port and is known for its beach...
, Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire, also known as Maldwyn is one of thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. Montgomeryshire is still used as a vice-county for wildlife recording...
. A headstone and tablet were placed on his previously unmarked grave in an elaborate ceremony, by the Bishop of Bangor
Bishop of Bangor
The Bishop of Bangor is the Ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of Bangor.The diocese covers the counties of Anglesey, most of Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire and a small part of Montgomeryshire...
on 5 July 1956, and unveiled by a former professor of Welsh at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth University is a university located in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding Member Institution of the former federal University of Wales. As of late 2006, the university had over 12,000 students spread across seventeen academic departments.The university was founded in 1872 as...
, T. H. Parry-Williams
T. H. Parry-Williams
Sir Thomas Herbert Parry-Williams was a Welsh poet, author and academic.Parry-Williams was born at Rhyd Ddu, Caernarfonshire. He was educated at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, Jesus College, Oxford , the University of Freiburg and the Sorbonne...
. Three sons and three daughters pre-deceased Evans; his surviving son, John Henry Silvan Evans, assisted his father in his lexicographical work. This, together with many of Evans’ editorial publications, is still highly regarded in the academic study of the Welsh language.