William Henry Harris (academic)
William Henry Harris (28 April 1884 – 23 January 1956) was a British Welsh-speaking priest, academic and translator. Ordained in 1914, he served for most of his life (1919-1941) as a teacher of theology at
Early life
He was born on 28 April 1884 at Pantysgellog,
Harris was ordained a deacon in 1913 and a priest in 1914. After first being curate in Ystradgynlais in the Swansea Valley, he moved to Christ Church, Swansea, in 1917 and then to All Saints, Oystermouth, Swansea, in the following year.
In 1919 he took the post of lecturer in theology at St David's College, Lampeter. He was also
Career
After his ordination in 1913, he served as curate in Ystradgynlais until 1917, when he returned to St. David's College to become a lecturer in theology. He continued in the College, becoming professor of Welsh in 1941 and then senior tutor in 1945.[2]
From 1937 he served as
Harris was a supporter of the catholicity of the Church in Wales and was a founder member of the St David's Society which was set up to promote this. He wrote on this and on other theological topics and served on committees for the Welsh Church Hymnary (translating some of the hymns himself) and the Book of Common Prayer. He was a member of the
In July 1924, Harris married Dorothy Clough and they subsequently had two daughters.[1]
Death and legacy
He died in London[2] on 23 January 1956[1] and is buried at St Martin's Church, Ruislip.[1]
His obituary in The Times observes: "With his great capacity and his love of learning Canon Harris carried himself with a modesty and a kindliness which will always be looked upon by his many friends as his outstanding characteristic."
References
- ^ a b c d e Ellis, Mary Gwendoline (2001). "Harris, William Henry (1884–1956), priest, Professor of Welsh, St David's College, Lampeter". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
- ^ a b c d e "Canon W. H. Harris". Obituaries. The Times. No. 53445. 3 February 1956. p. 11.