Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Lewis, Evan
LEWIS, EVAN (1828–1869), independent minister, born at Carmarthen in 1828, was son of an architect there. He studied at Airedale College to prepare for the independent ministry, and graduated B.A. at London University. He served successively the independent chapels at Barton-on-Humber (1853–8), at Rothwell, Northamptonshire (1858–63), the Oak Street Independent Chapel at Accrington, Lancashire (1863–6), the Grimshaw Street Chapel, Preston (1866–1868), and finally the Offord Street Chapel, Islington, from October 1868 till his death. His later removals were made in search of health, but when settled in London consumption declared itself, and he died on 19 Feb. 1869 at Offord Road. At Preston he formed a day-school in connection with his chapel, and there and at Accrington he was a frequent lecturer on literary and scientific topics. He was fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and of the Ethnological Society.
His writings include: 1. ‘The Wines the Saviour made, used, and sanctioned, being an Examination of John ii. 1–11 and Matt. xxvi. 29,’ 12mo, London (1856?). 2. ‘A Plea for the People, or the Force and Fate of England's Juggernaut,’ 8vo, London (1857). 3. ‘The Two Twilights, or the Saint and the Sinner in Life and Death,’ in verse, 8vo, London, 1860. 4. ‘Independency, a Deduction from the Laws of the Universe,’ 8vo, London, 1862. 5. ‘God's Week of Work, being an Examination of the Mosaic six days,’ 8vo, London, 1865.
[Preston Guardian, 24 Feb. 1869, p. 2; Preston Chronicle, 27 Feb. 1869, p. 5; Sutton's Lancashire Authors (Manchester Literary Club), p. 72.]