Sebastian Evans facts for kids

Sebastian Evans (born March 2, 1830, died December 19, 1909) was an interesting English person who did many things! He was a journalist, which means he wrote for newspapers. He was also involved in politics, helping to form a group called the National Union of Conservative Associations. Besides all that, he was a writer and an artist.

A Busy Life

Sebastian Evans was born in a place called Market Bosworth in Leicestershire, England. He was the youngest son of Arthur Benoni Evans. His older brother was Sir John Evans, a famous archaeologist, and his older sister was the poet Anne Evans.

Sebastian went to school where his father taught him. Later, in 1849, he won a scholarship to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, which is a famous university. He finished his studies there in 1853.

Early Career and Art

After university, Sebastian started studying law. But soon, he became the secretary for the Indian Reform Association. This group worked to improve things in India. He was actually the first person in England to hear about the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which was a big uprising in India.

In 1857, he left that job and used his talent for drawing. He became the manager of the art department at a glass-making company called Chance Bros. & Co. He worked there for ten years and designed many beautiful stained-glass windows. One of his designs showed the famous Robin Hood story for a big exhibition in 1862.

Politics and Journalism

While working for the Indian Reform Association, Sebastian met John Bright, a well-known politician. Later, in Birmingham, he became friends with Joseph Chamberlain, another important political figure.

In 1867, Sebastian left the glass company to become the editor of the Birmingham Daily Gazette. This was a newspaper that supported conservative ideas. In 1868, he tried to become a Member of Parliament for Birmingham in the general election, but he didn't win. He also helped create the National Union of Conservative Associations, a group that supported conservative politicians.

Law and Writing

In 1870, Sebastian decided to focus on a legal career. He became a lawyer in 1873 and worked on cases in the Oxford area. Even though he was busy with law, he still wrote articles for newspapers like The Observer. He also wrote stories, often about supernatural topics, for magazines like Macmillan's and Longman's.

In 1878, he helped start The People, which was a weekly newspaper that supported conservative views. He was its editor for the first three years. He also briefly took over editing the Birmingham Daily Gazette again in 1886.

Later, in the early 1890s, Sebastian became interested in the Neo-Jacobite Revival. This was a movement that supported the idea of bringing back the old royal family line to the throne. He joined a group called the Order of the White Rose.

Sebastian knew many important writers of his time. He was also a close friend of Edward Burne-Jones, a famous artist who drew pictures for Sebastian's book about the "Graal." Sebastian Evans passed away on December 19, 1909, in Canterbury.

His Works

Sebastian Evans was a talented writer and artist. When he was still at university, he published a book of poems called sonnets in 1852.

Poetry Collections

He published several collections of his poems, including:

• Brother Fabian's Manuscripts and other Poems, in 1865.
• Songs and Etchings, in 1871.
• In the Studio, a Decade of Poems, in 1875.

Translations and Studies

Sebastian was also very good at translating old texts from languages like French, Latin, Greek, and Italian into English.

• He translated 'Mirror of Perfection' by Francis of Assisi in 1898.
• He also translated Geoffrey of Monmouth's History in 1904.
• With his son Francis, he adapted a French play into a book called Lady Chillingham's House Party in 1901.
• In 1881, he helped re-edit his father's book about words used in Leicestershire for the English Dialect Society.

One of his most famous works was The High History of the Holy Graal, published in 1898. This was his version of an old French story about the Holy Graal. He also wrote his own study about the legend called In Quest of the Holy Graal.

Art and Craft

Besides writing, Sebastian was an artist. He showed his paintings (in oil and watercolours) and drawings at places like the Royal Academy. He also enjoyed wood-carving, engraving, and even making his own book bindings.

His Family

In 1857, Sebastian Evans married Elizabeth. She was the youngest daughter of Francis Bennett-Goldney, who helped start a bank in London. Sebastian and Elizabeth had two sons, Sebastian and Francis. Their son Francis later took the name Francis Bennett-Goldney and became involved in politics.