Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Owen, Robert
OWEN, ROBERT (1820–1902), theologian, born at Dolgelly, Merionethshire, on 13 May 1820, was third son of David Owen, a surgeon of that town, by Ann, youngest daughter of Hugh Evans of Fronfelen and Esgairgeiliog, near Machynlleth. His brothers died unmarried in early manhood. Educated at Ruthin grammar school, where he showed much, precocity (Harriet Thomas, Father and Son, p. 60), he matriculated from Jesus College, Oxford, on 22 Nov. 1838; was scholar from 1839 to 1845; graduated B.A. in 1842 with a third class in classical finals, proceeding M.A. in 1845, and B.D. in 1852 (Foster, Al. Oxon.). He was fellow of his college from 1845 till 1864, and public examiner in law and modern history in 1859-60.
Though he was ordained by Dr. Bethell, bishop of Bangor, in 1843, and served a curacy till 1845 at Tremeirchion, he held no preferment. Coming under the influence of the Tractarians, he maintained an occasional correspondence with Newman long after the latter seceded to Rome. In 1847 Owen edited, for the Anglo-Catholic Library, John Johnson's work on 'The Unbloody Sacrifice,' which had been first issued in 1714. He reached the view that establishment and endowment were all but fatal to the 'catholic' character of the Church of England, and in 1893 he joined a few other Welsh clergymen in discussing such proposed legislation as would restore to the church her independent liberty in the appointment of bishops and secure some voice to the parochial laity.
In 1864, owing to an allegation of immorality, he was called upon to resign his fellowship. He was at that time probably the most learned scholar on the foundation. He shortly afterwards retired to Bronygraig, Barmouth, in which district he owned considerable property. There he died unmarried on 6 April 1902, and was buried at Llanaber, Owen's original works were: 1. 'An Introduction to the Study of Dogmatic Theology,' 1858; 2nd edit. 1887. 2. 'The Pilgrimage to Rome: a Poem,' Oxford, 1863. 3. 'Sanctorale Catholicum, or Book of Saints,' 1880: 'a sort of Anglican canon of saints, especially strong in local British saints.' 4. 'An Essay on the Communion of Saints, together with an Examination of the Cultus Sanctorum,' 1881; nearly the whole issue perished in a fire at the publishers. 5. 'Institutes of Canon Law,' 1884, written at the instance of Dr. Walter Kerr Hamilton, bishop of Salisbury. 6. 'The Kymry: their Origin, History, and International Relations,' Carmarthen, 1891.
[The Times, 10 April 1902; T. R. Roberts, Dict. of Eminent Welshmen, 1907, p. 386; Brit. Mus. Cat.]