David Morgan Lewis (Q66423)

David Morgan Lewis was born on a farmstead in north Pembrokeshire. He trained for the ministry at the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen and afterwards at Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1878 he was ordained minister of the English Congregational church at Hirwaun in the Rhondda valley. After five years Lewis gave up the ministry and returned to his studies at Cambridge. In 1884 he was appointed lecturer in physics at University College, Bangor, and, in 1891, Professor of Physics at University College, Aberystwyth. Despite his early departure from the ministry, Lewis maintained an interest in all things Congregational throughout his life. He served as chairman of the South Wales English Congregational Churches Union and of the committees of Carmarthen and Brecon theological colleges. Following his retirement in 1919, Lewis embarked on a study of Welsh hymnology, particularly the work of Ann Griffiths, and published his findings in Welsh periodicals.