Dictionary of National Biography, 1901 supplement/Edwards, Thomas Charles
EDWARDS, THOMAS CHARLES (1837–1900), divine, eldest son of Lewis Edwards, D.D. [q. v.], was born at Llanycil, Bala, Merionethshire, on 22 Sept. 1837. His mother was a granddaughter of Thomas Charles [q. v.], the organiser of Welsh calvinistic methodism. His early education was under his father at Bala, whence he proceeded to University College, London, and graduated M.A. Lond. in 1862, being classed next to William Stanley Jevons [q. v.] On 21 Oct. 1862 he matriculated at St. Alban Hall, Oxford; in 1864 he obtained a scholarship at Lincoln College, and graduated B. A. 1866 with a first class in classics; M.A. 1872. In 1867 he was ordained to a charge in Liverpool, in connection with the presbyterian church of Wales. This he resigned in 1872, on being appointed the first principal of the University College of Wales at Aberystwyth (opened 9 Oct.) During his principalship the college buildings were burned, and by his energy restored. He succeeded also in obtaining from the treasury an endowment of 4,000l. a year for the college. In 1887 he received the diploma of D.D. from Edinburgh University. In 1891 he resigned his principalship at Aberystwyth in order to become principal of the Welsh calvinistic methodist theological college at Bala, founded by his father. His policy of opening the college to students of all denominations was not responded to by many outsiders, but the college flourished greatly under his management. In 1898 he was the first to receive the diploma of D.D. from the university of Wales (founded 1893). He died at Bala on 22 March 1900.
He published, besides single sermons: 1. 'A Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians,' 1885, 8vo; 2nd edit, same year. 2. 'Commentary on Epistle to Hebrews,' in 'Expositor's Bible,' 1888, 8vo; 3rd edit. 1889, 8vo; also, 'Welsh Commentary on Hebrews,' 1890. 3. 'The God-Man,' 1895, 12mo (Davies Lecture). A sermon of his is in Jones's 'Welsh Pulpit,' 1885, 8vo. He published in Welsh a memoir of his father, 1887, 12mo.
[Times, 23 March 1900; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 171o-1886; Who's Who, 1900; Williams's Welsh Calvinistic Methodism, 1884, p. 208; List of Edin. Graduates, 1898.]