Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, John (1804-1887)
JONES, JOHN (1804–1887), also known by the pseudonym of Idrisyn, Welsh biblical commentator, was born near Dolgelly in 1804, being, it is stated, a descendant of Ellis Wynne (1670–1734) [q. v.] Early in life he settled at Llanidloes as a printer and publisher, and was for several years a member of the town council, being mayor for 1847–8. During this time he was a local preacher among the Wesleyans, but in 1853 he joined the church of England, when he was ordained, and licensed to the curacy of Llandyssul in Cardiganshire. He remained there till 1858, when he was made vicar of Llandyssilio Gogo in the same county. He resided in the neighbouring village of New Quay, where he died on 17 Aug. 1887. In 1881 he was granted a pension of 50l. from the Civil List Fund.
Jones's best-known work is a critical commentary on the Bible, written in a popular style, and entitled ‘Y Deonglydd Beirniadol,’ Llanidloes, 1852, 8vo; 2nd ed. Machynlleth, 1885. This has run into eight editions, and it is stated that eighty thousand copies of it have been sold in this country and America. He also wrote another commentary in six volumes called ‘Yr Esboniad Beirniadol,’ Llanidloes, 1845, 8vo, and was the author of a volume of sermons (Wrexham, 1885, 8vo), besides numerous pamphlets, poems, and contributions to the Welsh press. Jones rendered into Welsh the Queen's ‘Journal of our Life in the Highlands,’ and his translation is marked with much idiomatic fidelity.
[Times, 20 Aug. 1887; Yr Haul, September 1887; Bye Gones relating to Wales, 24 Aug. 1887.]