Thomas Jones (librarian)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Jones was a Welsh librarian, who was librarian of Chetham's Library
in Manchester from 1845 to 1875.
in south Wales, was born in 1810 and educated at Cowbridge
grammar school before attending Jesus College, Oxford
between 1827 and 1832. After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts
degree, he turned to working with books (in preference to an earlier intention of becoming a priest). He catalogued the Neath
library in 1842 and was appointed as the librarian of Chetham's Library
in Manchester
in 1845. Whilst he was in charge, the library more than doubled in size (from 19,000 to 40,000 volumes) with Jones obtaining some books through his personal influence. His catalogue of 1862–63 (2 volumes) continued the earlier catalogues of Radcliffe and of Greswell (from 1791 and 1821 respectively). He was described as "one who seemed designed by nature for the place and whose whole soul was in his work". As well as the catalogues of the library's collections, he wrote a Catalogue of the collection of tracts for and against popery (published in and about the reign of James II) in the Manchester library founded by Humphrey Chetham (1859). He was elected as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
in 1866, and died on 29 November 1875.
Chetham's Library
Chetham's Library in Manchester, England is the oldest free public reference library in the United Kingdom. Chetham's Hospital, which contains both the library and Chetham's School of Music, was established in 1653 under the will of Humphrey Chetham , for the education of "the sons of honest,...
in Manchester from 1845 to 1875.
Life
Jones, from MargamMargam
Margam is a suburb of Port Talbot in the Welsh county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, close to junction 39 of the M4 motorway.- History :...
in south Wales, was born in 1810 and educated at Cowbridge
Cowbridge
Cowbridge is a market town in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales, approximately west of Cardiff. Cowbridge is twinned with Clisson in the Loire-Atlantique department in northwestern France.-Roman times:...
grammar school before attending 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...
between 1827 and 1832. After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree, he turned to working with books (in preference to an earlier intention of becoming a priest). He catalogued the Neath
Neath
Neath is a town and community situated in the principal area of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK with a population of approximately 45,898 in 2001...
library in 1842 and was appointed as the librarian of Chetham's Library
Chetham's Library
Chetham's Library in Manchester, England is the oldest free public reference library in the United Kingdom. Chetham's Hospital, which contains both the library and Chetham's School of Music, was established in 1653 under the will of Humphrey Chetham , for the education of "the sons of honest,...
in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in 1845. Whilst he was in charge, the library more than doubled in size (from 19,000 to 40,000 volumes) with Jones obtaining some books through his personal influence. His catalogue of 1862–63 (2 volumes) continued the earlier catalogues of Radcliffe and of Greswell (from 1791 and 1821 respectively). He was described as "one who seemed designed by nature for the place and whose whole soul was in his work". As well as the catalogues of the library's collections, he wrote a Catalogue of the collection of tracts for and against popery (published in and about the reign of James II) in the Manchester library founded by Humphrey Chetham (1859). He was elected as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
in 1866, and died on 29 November 1875.