John Viriamu Jones facts for kids
John Viriamu Jones (born January 2, 1856 – died June 1, 1901) was an important Welsh scientist and educator. He is known for his work on measuring the ohm, which is a unit for measuring electrical resistance. He also played a huge part in starting two major universities in Wales and England: Cardiff University and the University of Sheffield.
Early Life and Education
John Viriamu Jones was born in Swansea, Wales, on January 2, 1856. He was the third of six children. His father, Thomas Jones, was a well-known church leader. John was named after a missionary called John Williams. The name 'Viriamu' is how "Williams" is said in the Erromanga language.
When John was two years old, his family moved to London. He went to a private school in Reading and then to University College School in London. His mother passed away in 1867. A few years later, his father moved back to Swansea. John continued his studies at the Normal College in Swansea.
At 16, John went to University College London. He earned his first degree there when he was 19. In 1874, he won a special scholarship to Balliol College at the University of Oxford. There, he became good friends with Benjamin Jowett, who was a famous scholar. John did very well in his studies, earning top honors in both mathematics and physics.
A Career in Education and Science
In 1881, when John Viriamu Jones was only 25, he became the head of Firth College in Sheffield. This college later grew into the University of Sheffield. The next year, in 1882, he married Sarah Katherine Wills.
Just two years later, in 1883, John took on an even bigger role. He became the very first head of the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire. This college is now known as Cardiff University. At the same time, he also led its Physics Department. He also became the head of the Cardiff Technical School.
In 1895, John was chosen to be the first vice-chancellor of the University of Wales. He worked hard to make secondary education (like high school) better across Wales. Even with all these important jobs, he still found time for his scientific research. In 1894, he was recognized for his important work on measuring the ohm. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very high honor for scientists.
John Viriamu Jones passed away suddenly in Geneva in June 1901. He was only 45 years old. His body was brought back to Swansea and buried near his father.
