Robert Thomas Jenkins
Encyclopedia
Robert Thomas Jenkins CBE (31 August 1881 – 11 November 1969) was a Welsh historian and academic.
. He moved with his family to Bangor, Gwynedd
when his father was appointed clerk to the registrar of the newly-established University College of North Wales. However, both of his parents had died by 1888 and he was then brought up by his maternal grandparents in Bala, Gwynedd
. He was baptised by Thomas Charles Edwards
and studied at Bala grammar school before winning a scholarship
to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, obtaining a first-class degree in English in 1901. He then studied history and English at Trinity College, Cambridge
before teaching in Llandysul
(1904), in Brecon
(1904 to 1917) and at the City of Cardiff High School for Boys
(1917 to 1930). Whilst he was a teacher, his interest in history deepened and he began to start writing articles on historical topics.
In 1928, he published a history of Wales in the 18th century, with further books following in 1930, the year that he was appointed a lecturer at the University of Wales Bangor. He was assistant editor, then joint editor, of and its English-language counterpart, The Dictionary of Welsh Biography
, writing over 600 entries. He was appointed to a professorship at Bangor in 1945 and retired from the university in 1948, although he continued to work.
He wrote a history of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
in 1951, the year of its 200th anniversary. He was awarded the CBE in 1956. He died on 11 November 1969.
Life
Jenkins was born on 31 August 1881 in LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. He moved with his family to Bangor, Gwynedd
Bangor, Gwynedd
Bangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
when his father was appointed clerk to the registrar of the newly-established University College of North Wales. However, both of his parents had died by 1888 and he was then brought up by his maternal grandparents in Bala, Gwynedd
Bala, Gwynedd
Bala is a market town and community in Gwynedd, Wales, and formerly an urban district of the historic county of Merionethshire. It lies at the north end of Bala Lake , 17 miles north-east of Dolgellau, with a population of 1,980...
. He was baptised by Thomas Charles Edwards
Thomas Charles Edwards
Thomas Charles-Edwards was a Welsh minister, writer and academic who was the first Principal of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth....
and studied at Bala grammar school before winning a scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, obtaining a first-class degree in English in 1901. He then studied history and English at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
before teaching in Llandysul
Llandysul
Llandysul is a small town in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. The community of Pont Tyweli lies directly across the Teifi River in Carmarthenshire. It is in the valley of the River Teifi and is visited for its fishing and canoeing....
(1904), in Brecon
Brecon
Brecon is a long-established market town and community in southern Powys, Mid Wales, with a population of 7,901. It was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of Powys, it remains an important local centre...
(1904 to 1917) and at the City of Cardiff High School for Boys
Cardiff High School
Cardiff High School is a comprehensive school in the Cyncoed area of Cardiff, Wales. Cardiff High School is two miles from the city centre, serving a neighbourhood of privately-owned houses. According to the 2007 ESTYN Report, "Cardiff High School is a very good school with many outstanding...
(1917 to 1930). Whilst he was a teacher, his interest in history deepened and he began to start writing articles on historical topics.
In 1928, he published a history of Wales in the 18th century, with further books following in 1930, the year that he was appointed a lecturer at the University of Wales Bangor. He was assistant editor, then joint editor, of and its English-language counterpart, The Dictionary of Welsh Biography
Dictionary of Welsh Biography
The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is a dictionary of biographies of Welsh men and women who have made a unique contribution to Welsh life over seventeen centuries...
, writing over 600 entries. He was appointed to a professorship at Bangor in 1945 and retired from the university in 1948, although he continued to work.
He wrote a history of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion was founded in 1751 as a literary society devoted to the preservation of the Welsh language. It was founded by two brothers, Lewis Morris and Richard Morris, natives of Anglesey...
in 1951, the year of its 200th anniversary. He was awarded the CBE in 1956. He died on 11 November 1969.