William Davies Thomas
Encyclopedia
William Davies Thomas was a Welsh
academic who was a professor at the University of Saskatchewan
in Canada and the first Professor of English language and literature at University College, Swansea in Wales.
, Montgomeryshire
, Wales
to William and Hannah Thomas, his father being a blacksmith
and postmaster. He attended Newtown County School and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, obtaining a first-class degree in English in 1910. He then was a student assistant in Aberystwyth for a year, entering Jesus College, Oxford
in 1911 and obtaining a second degree in 1913. He lectured at Trinity College, Toronto in Canada, then served in France during the First World War and became senior Professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan
in 1919. He returned to Wales in 1921, as the first Professor of English language and literature at University College, Swansea (which had been founded the previous year). He was vice-principal from 1927 to 1931, and remained in post until his death in 1954. He published little, but was highly respected as a teacher and administrator.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
academic who was a professor at the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
in Canada and the first Professor of English language and literature at University College, Swansea in Wales.
Life
Thomas was born in AbermuleAbermule
Abermule is a village in Powys, mid Wales, located on the River Severn. The Montgomeryshire canal runs through Abermule, the canal is very close to the river.- Amenities :...
, 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...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
to William and Hannah Thomas, his father being a blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
and postmaster. He attended Newtown County School and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, obtaining a first-class degree in English in 1910. He then was a student assistant in Aberystwyth for a year, entering 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...
in 1911 and obtaining a second degree in 1913. He lectured at Trinity College, Toronto in Canada, then served in France during the First World War and became senior Professor of English at the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
in 1919. He returned to Wales in 1921, as the first Professor of English language and literature at University College, Swansea (which had been founded the previous year). He was vice-principal from 1927 to 1931, and remained in post until his death in 1954. He published little, but was highly respected as a teacher and administrator.