Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, Isaac
JONES, ISAAC (1804–1850), Welsh translator, was born 2 May 1804 in the parish of Llanychaiarn, near Aberystwith, Cardiganshire. His father, a weaver, was able to teach him Latin, and he also attended a small school in his native village. He afterwards went to the grammar school at Aberystwith, where he became first an assistant, and in 1828 head-master. He resigned the post in 1834, when he entered St. Davids College, Lampeter, and was elected Eldon Hebrew scholar there in 1835. He was ordained deacon in September 1836 and priest in September 1837. His first curacy was Llanfihangel Geneu'r Glyn, and he afterwards removed to Bangor Chapel, both near Aberystwith. In February 1840 he became curate of Llanedwen and Llanddaniel Fab in Anglesey, where he remained till his death, 2 Dec. 1850. He was buried in Llanidan churchyard.
Jones is chiefly known as a translator of English works into Welsh; the following are some of his translations: 1. Gurney's ‘Dictionary of the Bible,’ with numerous additions by the translator, completed in 1835 in 2 vols. 12mo. 2. Dr. Adam Clarke's ‘Commentary on the New Testament,’ 2 vols., 1847, 8vo. Jones had also proceeded as far as Lev. iv. 12, with his translation of the commentary on the Old Testament, when his last illness interrupted the work. 3. Williams's ‘Missionary Enterprises,’ half only of which was published, as another Welsh edition was issued at the same time. Jones was joint-editor with Owen Williams of Waunfawr of a Welsh encyclopædia, ‘Y Geirlyfr Cymraeg,’ 2 vols., Llanfair-Caereinion, 1835, 4to, the second volume being entirely written by Jones. He edited also the second edition of William Salesbury's ‘Welsh Testament,’ originally published in 1567 (Carnarvon, 1850, 8vo), and assisted the Rev. E. Griffiths of Swansea in bringing out a translation of Matthew Henry's ‘Exposition,’ besides being the author of several tracts and pamphlets of minor importance.
[Williams's Eminent Welshmen, p. 559; Rowlands's Welsh Bibliography, p. 17 note; Jones's Enwogion Sir Aberteifi, pp. 84–5.]