Thomas Levi
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/Portrait_of_Thomas_Levi_%284670546%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Portrait_of_Thomas_Levi_%284670546%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Thomas Levi(12 October 1825 - 16 June 1916 ) was aWelsh,Calvinistic Methodistminister, and literary figure who also played a role in the political life of Wales.[1]Born inYstradgynlaishe spent his later life as minister of Tabernacl,Aberystwyth.
Early life
[edit]Levi was born at Penrhos, nearYstradgynlaisin the Swansea Valley,Glamorgan,the son of John and Prudence Levi.[1]It was often stated that his father was of Jewish origin.[2]It is said that his father was a Jewish jeweller from Swansea. He received little formal education and worked as a boy at theYnyscedwyn Ironworks.[1]When the ironworks closed for a time due to a depression in trade, Levi migrated fifty miles toTredegarironworks.[2]Following his mother's death, his father and brothers migrated to the United States.[3]He began to preach when around twenty years of age.[1]
Career
[edit]Levi became minister of Capel yr Ynys, Ystradgynlais around 1855 and remained there until 1860 when he moved to Philadelphia,Morriston.[1]After sixteen years, Levi received a call in 1876 to minister at Tabernacl,Aberystwyth,one of the leading chapels in the denomination, and he remained there for the remainder of his career.[1]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Portrait_of_Thomas_Levi_%284671597%29.jpg/220px-Portrait_of_Thomas_Levi_%284671597%29.jpg)
Literary activities
[edit]Levi wrote many books but his most significant achievement was foundingTrysorfa y Plant(A Children's Treasury), a journal for children and young people, Levi was responsible for every monthly edition from 1862 until 1911 and the journal had a circulation of 44,000.[1]
Political activities
[edit]From his early days at Ystradgynlais, Levi was politically active, and he led a campaign against the efforts of the rector to levy a church rate in order to rebuild the parish church.[2]
Levi was a Liberal member ofCardiganshire County Councilfrom 1889 until 1895. His son, Professor T.A. Levi established the Law department at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
Later life and death
[edit]Levi retired from the ministry in 1901. He died in 1916, aged 90.[1]
References
[edit]- ^abcdefghLevi, Thomas Arthur."Thomas Levi".Dictionary of Welsh Biography.National Library of Wales.Retrieved24 April2015.
- ^abc"Death of Rev Thomas Levi. Old Ystradgynlais Native".Llais Llafur.24 June 1916.Retrieved25 April2015.
- ^"Death of the Rev Thomas Levi. A Remarkable Career".Cambrian News.23 June 1916.Retrieved26 April2015.