David Edward Lewis

Who was David Edward Lewis?

David Edward Lewis was a Welsh businessman and philanthropist.

Lewis was born in Llanrhystud near Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, Wales, the son of David Lewis, a farmer, and his wife Catherine, née Mason.

Lewis migrated to Melbourne, Australia, in 1890; opening a drapery shop in 1902 which became a successful business. In 1928 he donated £2000 to the engineering school of the University of Melbourne for laboratory extensions.

After his death, his will established the Dafydd Lewis Trust, with a £700,000 endowment. This provided scholarships for full-time degree courses at the University of Melbourne for boys from Victorian state schools whose parents could not afford to pay for a university education.