Griffith Jones

Griffith Jones (early 1684 – 8 April 1761) was a Welsh minister of the Church of England and a promoter of Methodism. He is best known for spreading literacy in Wales with his circulating schools. Family background Jones was born in 1683 or 1684 at Penboyr, Carmarthenshire, and christened on 1 May 1684. His father was John Ap Gruffydd, "a godly father", and his mother Elinor John. Later in life, he married Margaret, who was described as a charitable and pious woman. Education After village school, Jones became a shepherd, but then entered Carmarthen Grammar School, with the aim of becoming a clergyman. About 1707 he applied for ordination, and according to John Evans of Eglwys Cymyn (1702–1782), was rejected more than once, but owing to the influence of Evan Evans, vicar of Clydeu, Pembrokeshire, he was at last ordained as a priest by Bishop George Bull in 1708. Circulating schools Jones was appointed in 1716 rector of Llanddowror, where he remained for the rest of his working life. He was an enthusiastic member of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge. In 1731, he started what were known as circulating schools, in order to teach people to read. These were held in one location for about three months before moving ("circulating") to another place in Carmarthenshire. The language of instruction in these schools was the language of the people, Welsh. The idea met with enthusiasm, and by his death in 1761, it is estimated that over 200,000 people had learnt to read in schools organised by Jones throughout the country.