Ifor Leslie Evans
Encyclopedia
Ifor Leslie Evans was a Welsh academic and Principal of the University College of Wales Aberystwyth from 1934 until 1952.
The son of Welsh musician William John Evans, Ivor Leslie Evans received his education at Wycliffe College, Stonehouse
before going on to study in France and Germany. While in Germany he was interred in Ruhleben
prison for the duration of the First World War. It was here that he learned the Welsh language, and changed his name from Ivor to Ifor.
Following the war, and a brief foray into the Swansea coal trade, he went up to St John's College, Cambridge
, where he took a first in history and economics. He was subsequently elected the Whewell Scholar of International law. While a Lecturer and Fellow at St John's from 1923 until 1934, he sat on the League of Nations
commission reporting on the economic circumstances of Austria, and also served on the staff of the Economist
.
In 1934, he succeeded Sir Henry Stuart-Jones as Principal of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. During his eighteen years as principal - the second longest term to date - the College saw many developments. The College debt that he inherited was reduced substantially, and attracted benefactors. It was also during his tenure that plans for building on the Penglais campus were realised: Pantycelyn opened in 1952, and a block in the Penbryn halls is named in his honour. He is also credited with strengthening relations between the staff and students at the College. He was also actively involved with the University of Wales
, serving as Vice-Chancellor on three occasions, and chairing the Press board
and estates committee.
The son of Welsh musician William John Evans, Ivor Leslie Evans received his education at Wycliffe College, Stonehouse
Wycliffe College (Gloucestershire)
Wycliffe College is a co-educational independent school located in the town of Stonehouse in Gloucestershire, in the West of England. The school was founded in 1882 by GW Sibly, and comprises a Nursery School for ages 2 – 4, a Preparatory School for ages 4 – 13, and a Senior School catering for...
before going on to study in France and Germany. While in Germany he was interred in Ruhleben
Ruhleben
The Ruhleben barracks is part of the German Naval establishment located in Plön, Holstein, Germany.From 1940 to 1945 it was home to the III U-Boat Training Division . On April 22, 1945 Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz moved the headquarters of the Naval High Command there...
prison for the duration of the First World War. It was here that he learned the Welsh language, and changed his name from Ivor to Ifor.
Following the war, and a brief foray into the Swansea coal trade, he went up to St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, where he took a first in history and economics. He was subsequently elected the Whewell Scholar of International law. While a Lecturer and Fellow at St John's from 1923 until 1934, he sat on the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
commission reporting on the economic circumstances of Austria, and also served on the staff of the Economist
The Economist
The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
.
In 1934, he succeeded Sir Henry Stuart-Jones as Principal of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. During his eighteen years as principal - the second longest term to date - the College saw many developments. The College debt that he inherited was reduced substantially, and attracted benefactors. It was also during his tenure that plans for building on the Penglais campus were realised: Pantycelyn opened in 1952, and a block in the Penbryn halls is named in his honour. He is also credited with strengthening relations between the staff and students at the College. He was also actively involved with the 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...
, serving as Vice-Chancellor on three occasions, and chairing the Press board
University of Wales Press
The University of Wales Press was founded in 1922 as a central service of the University of Wales. It publishes academic journals and around sixty books a year in the English and Welsh languages, based around a core of six subjects: History; Political Philosophy and Religious Studies;Welsh and...
and estates committee.