Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Evans, William (d.1776?)

by Rees M. Jenkin Jones

EVANS, WILLIAM (d. 1776?), Welsh lexicographer, was educated at Carmarthen College under Dr. Jenkins, 1767–72. He was probably born in Carmarthenshire. His chief claim to notice is based on his English-Welsh dictionary, compiled while he was a student and published in 1771. A second edition appeared in 1812. The greatest living Welsh bibliographer, the Rev. D. S. Evans, B.D., describes it as a very respectable work. He was for some years pastor of the presbyterian congregation at Sherborne, but removed, owing to declining health, to take charge of a congregation at Moreton Hampstead, Devonshire, in 1776, but was only able to retain it a few weeks, and probably died shortly after.

[Christian Reformer, 1833, p. 552, 1847, p. 631; Yr Ymofynydd, 1888.]

R. J. J.