William Edward Evans

Who was William Edward Evans?

William Edward Evans, was an English divine and naturalist.

Evans, was born 8 June 1801 in Shrewsbury. He inherited a taste for poetry and natural history from his father, John Evans, M.D., who was a physician in that town, and author of a poem in four books on bees. His mother was Jane Wilson. A brother, Robert Wilson Evans, became the Archdeacon of Westmorland and Furness. From Shrewsbury School, then ruled by Dr. Butler, Evans gained a scholarship at Clare Hall, Cambridge, where he proceeded to the degree of B.A. in 1823 and M.A. in 1826.

After taking holy orders he became curate of Llanymynech, Shropshire, till his marriage to a cousin, Elizabeth Evans, when he was presented to the living of Criggion, Montgomeryshire. This, however, he resigned in order to live at Burton Court, Leominster, which his wife had inherited, and to hold the sole charge of the parish of Monkland. In 1841 he was appointed prebendary of Hereford and praelector of the cathedral. After holding Monkland for eighteen years, in 1850 Evans accepted the living of Madley with Tibberton, Herefordshire. In 1861 he became canon of Hereford Cathedral.