Jenkin Lloyd Jones
Jenkin Lloyd Jones
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Jenkin Lloyd Jones was a renowned Welsh-American Unitarian minister, scholar, and poet. He is commonly referred to as "the Apostle of Social Justice" due to his tireless efforts in promoting social reform and equality.
Birth and Death Dates
Jenkin Lloyd Jones was born on August 7, 1843, in Cardigan, Wales. He passed away on February 17, 1919, at the age of 75.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Jones held dual nationality as a Welshman and an American. His profession spanned multiple fields, including ministry, academia, and social activism. He was a Unitarian minister, professor, poet, and advocate for human rights.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Wales, Jones was deeply influenced by the Calvinistic Methodist tradition, which emphasized the importance of personal faith and moral responsibility. His family's strong emphasis on education encouraged him to pursue his academic interests, particularly in literature and theology. In 1867, Jones migrated to the United States, where he would spend the remainder of his life serving as a minister, educator, and advocate for social justice.
Major Accomplishments
Jones' most notable achievements include:
Founding the Unitarian Church of All Souls in Chicago (1877), which became a hub for progressive thought and activism
Establishing the People's College of Chicago (1886), an institution dedicated to providing education and promoting social reform
Serving as a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1894-1901) and later at Northwestern University (1901-1915)
Writing several volumes of poetry, including _The Poetic Message_ (1879) and _Songs of Joy_ (1883)
Notable Works or Actions
Jones' contributions to social justice were multifaceted:
He advocated for women's suffrage, labor rights, and racial equality
He played a pivotal role in the formation of the American Unitarian Association and the Unitarian Universalist Association
He was an outspoken critic of imperialism, militarism, and economic exploitationImpact and Legacy
Jenkin Lloyd Jones' impact on social justice and education is still felt today. His commitment to promoting equality, human rights, and critical thinking has inspired generations of activists, scholars, and leaders.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Jones' influence can be attributed to his:
Unwavering dedication to social reform
Visionary leadership in education and social activism
Gift for poetic expression, which continues to inspire readers today
* Lasting legacy as a champion of human rights and dignity
Quotes by Jenkin Lloyd Jones
The cathedral, at its noblest, is the best outward symbol of the spiritual nature of man, as it is also the most suggestive measure and prophecy of the corporate life of man.
Life is like an old-time rail journey--delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.
I am the third Jenkin Jones to preach that liberal interpretation of Christianity generally known as Unitarianism.
My father was a prosperous hatter-farmer - making hats for the local markets during the winter months, tilling his little ten-acre farm during the summer time.
Seek the underlying harmonies of love and the overarching rainbow of hope, rather than the surface distinctions of creeds and of sects. Work for peace in religion.
Are there not thousands who have loved virtue who did not accept Jesus Christ in any supernatural or miraculous fashion, who, if they knew of him at all, knew of him only as the Nazarene peasant - the man Jesus. Such was Abraham Lincoln, the tender prophet of the gospel of good will upon earth.
The grandchildren of the kids who used to weep because the Little Match Girl froze to death now feel cheated if she isn't slugged, raped and thrown into a Bessemer converter.
The human soul finds its saddest imprisonment when it is helpless in the presence of cruelty, when it cannot right a wrong. It finds its highest freedom when it can secure justice to others.