17 Facts About Basil Jones

William Basil Jones was a Welsh bishop and scholar who became the Bishop of St David's in 1874, holding the post until his death in 1897.

Basil Jones was educated at Shrewsbury School, under the tutelage of Samuel Hall and Benjamin Hall Kennedy from 1834 to 1841, becoming head boy in his final year.

Basil Jones was placed in the second class in his final school of literae humaniores and in 1845 he graduated BA, receiving his MA in 1847.

In 1848 Basil Jones was elected to a Michel fellowship at Queen's College, but in 1851 he exchanged it for a fellowship at University College, Oxford, which he held until 1857.

Basil Jones is credited for the design of his parish church at Llangynfelyn.

Basil Jones was secretary of the Oxford Architectural Society, and was part of a literary and philosophical society at Trinity known as Hermes.

Basil Jones had been ordained deacon in 1848, and a priest in 1853, but after Thomson was made Bishop of Gloucester in 1861 he made Basil Jones his examining chaplain.

When Thomson was elevated to the office of Archbishop of York the next year he ensured that Basil Jones was always close as an advisor, ensuring he held important posts in the York diocese, and in 1865 was presented with the vicarage of Bishopthorpe, where the episcopal palace is situated.

In 1874 Connop Thirlwall, the Bishop of St David's, resigned the see and Basil Jones was appointed as his successor by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

Basil Jones's selection is believed to have been influenced by his scholarly work, his proven history as a clerical administrator, his past association with the Diocese of St David's and his ability, although limited, to speak Welsh.

Basil Jones was consecrated bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archibald Tait, at Westminster Abbey on 14 August 1874, and was enthroned at St David's on 15 September of the same year.

Basil Jones brought a far stricter regimen to the selection of candidates for ordination, requiring good testimonials, and preferring well educated men to those who were good orators.

Basil Jones oversaw changes which saw the removal of non-resident posts, resulting in improvements in pastoral work.

Basil Jones was unhappy with the suggestion, but he accepted a reduced income to the diocese on condition that the endowment left would be larger than that of the other Welsh diocese.

Basil Jones took this opportunity to enact the college with a complete code of statutes instead of the few provisional rules which it previously held.

Basil Jones took an active part in the government of Christ's College, Brecon, becoming chairman of its board of governors in 1880.

Basil Jones died at Abergwili Palace on 14 January 1897, and was buried six days later in the family vault at Llangynfelyn.