- Thomas Jones (T. J.)
Thomas (Tom) Jones, CH (
27 September 1870 –15 October 1955 ) was a Britishcivil servant and educationalist, once described as "one of the six most important men in Europe", and also as "the King ofWales " and "man of a thousand secrets".Born at 100 High Street,
Rhymney , Jones was familiarly known as "T.J." He was Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet under four Prime Ministers:Lloyd George ,Andrew Bonar Law ,Stanley Baldwin andRamsay MacDonald . His 3-volume "Whitehall Diary" threw much light on politics "behind the scenes", including the Irish Treaty, the 1926 General Strike, the meetings between Lloyd George andAdolf Hitler , theCliveden Set , and so on.A friend of many rich and influential people including
the Astors , Jones excelled at extracting money from rich people for worthwhile causes, notably adult education; he foundedColeg Harlech in 1927, was instrumental in the founding ofNewbattle Abbey College , and was secretary, trustee and chairman of thePilgrim Trust ).He was Chairman of
Gregynog Press throughout its existence, and also helped set up CEMA, the Committee for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (forerunner of theArts Council ) as well as the Army Bureau of Current Affairs (designed to 'supply mental stimulant' to British troops during the Second World War).Towards the end of his life Jones became President of the
University of Wales, Aberystwyth , and was awarded the Gold Medal of theHonourable Society of Cymmrodorion , as well as finally agreeing to become a Companion of Honour. He died inLondon .Jones' daughter,
Eirene White , was a Labour politician and minister.See biography by Ted Ellis, ISBN 0-7083-1138-5.
Works
*"A Theme with Variations" (1933)
*"Rhymney Memories" (1938)
*"Cerrig Milltir" (1942)
*"Lloyd George" (1951)
*"The Native Never Returns" (1946)
*"The Gregynog Press" (1954)
*"Whitehall Diaries", Vol I and II (1969)External links
* [http://www.japanesetranslations.co.uk/p/thomasjonesch.htm Photos and outline biography]
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