Francis Jayne

Francis John Jayne (1 January 1845 – 23 August 1921) was a British bishop and academic. Early years Born in Pant-y-beiliau, Gilwern, Llanelli, Jayne was the eldest son of John Jayne, a colliery owner and his second wife, Elisabeth Haines. He was elected Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, in 1868 and tutor of Keble College in 1871. He was ordained deacon and priest in 1870. During his time there, he steered the institution through the difficult years following the 1880 Aberdare Report on intermediate and higher education in Wales. The report recommended that the Colleges at Aberystwyth and Lampeter be united to form one institution, but Jayne fought the plan and retained St. David's College's independence. Jayne reformed the college in many ways; new statutes were issued and affiliation to Oxford and Cambridge was achieved. A new hall of residence was constructed and the college chapel was rebuilt. The college school opened in 1884, with the aim of providing a sound education for future entrants to the college.

Jayne was concerned about excessive drinking and the misuse of alcohol. He published an article called Successful Public-House Reform discussing the virtues of the Scandinavian Gothenburg system for managing pubs etc. He also founded the People's Refreshment House Association Limited which at its peak owned 130 inns and hotels. Jayne left no one in any doubt about his support for British participation in the War against Germany and her allies. He said ‘The sword which God gave to earthly rulers to wield was given, we ventured to think, to England as the peacemaker of the world, as the guardian of the seas against the perils which would otherwise assail not only ourselves ... but all the nations of Europe and the world’. He followed up two months later clarifying what he regarded as Britain‘s duty ‘We are fighting, not only for ourselves and the safety of our Empire, but for the very life of Christian civilisation, for the cause of righteousness, honour and liberty, for the independence of smaller states ... and ultimately for the peace of the world.’

He instigated a Roll of Honour with names of his clergy and their families who had volunteered for the Forces. He promoted the work of the Church Army and the YMCA, their need for volunteers and fund-raising. His increased workload led his staff to compel him to ‘abstain from all duties’ and to rest

He and his wife Emily (née Garland) had six sons and three daughters,