Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Daniel, Evan
DANIEL, EVAN (1837–1904), writer on the Prayer-book, born at Pontypool on 4 Sept. 1837, was second son of Evan Daniel of Pontypool, builder and architect, by his wife Sarah Beach. After education at the national school, Pontypool, he entered St. John's Training College, Battersea, in 1856. He became lecturer in English literature at the college in 1859 and vice-principal in 1863. In the same year he was ordained deacon, and priest in 1864. He was appointed principal in 1866, a post which he held for 28 years. On assuming the office of principal he began reading for a degree at Trinity College, Dublin; and both in 1868 and 1870 he won there the vice-chancellor's prize for English verse, and in 1869 the prize for English prose. He graduated B.A. in 1870 as senior moderator and gold medallist in English literature, history, and political science, and proceeded M.A. in 1874.
Daniel was generally recognised as an educational expert. From 1873 to 1879 he served on the second London school board, and in 1881 he was appointed practical lecturer on education at Cambridge. In 1879 Anthony Wilson Thorold [q. v.], bishop of Rochester, made him an hon. canon of his cathedral; and from 1892 he was proctor in convocation for the dean and chapter of Rochester. On his resignation of the principalship of St. John's Training College in 1894, Archbishop E. W. Benson [q. v. Suppl. I] nominated him to the vicarage of Horsham, and in 1902 he became rural dean of Storrington. Daniel, who held broad church views, was esteemed a powerful preacher. He died at Horsham vicarage on 27 May 1904, and was buried in the churchyard there. He married in 1863 Elizabeth Mosell of Pontypool, who died in 1901. He had issue six daughters and three sons.
A portrait of Daniel, painted after his death by P. Keelan, is in the hall of St. John's College, Battersea, where he is also commemorated by the establishment of the Daniel Library. A stained glass window to his memory is in Horsham parish church.
Daniel was best known for his valuable and popular work 'The Prayer-book, its History and Contents' (1877; 20th edit. 1901); this has been largely supplemented since, but not altogether superseded. He also published several educational books, including 'Outlines of English History' (1863; 2nd edit. 1872); 'The Grammar, History, and Derivation of the English Language' (1881); 'How to teach the Church Catechism' (1882); 'How to teach the Prayer-book' (1882); 'Elementary Algebra' (1st pt. 1883, 2nd pt. 1885); he edited Locke's 'Some Thoughts on Education' (1880).
[The Times, 28 May 1904; Guardian, 1 June 1904; Horsham Times, and Schoolmaster, 4 June 1904; Brit. Mus. Cat.; private information from Miss Daniel.]