Rowland, Edward

Born in Pontnewydd, Wales and deaf at 4 1/2 from scarlet fever. Cambrian Institution for the Deaf and Dumb beginning 1855; upon leaving, apprenticed to a tailor but disliked that work. After 3 years as an entrepreneur 1865-1869, decided to become a lay missioner to the deaf, establishing a congregation at Cardiff, then another at Merthyr and another in Pontypridd. Studied for the priesthood and became the first British deaf person ordained into the Anglican priesthood in 1882. Preached to the deaf all over Britain as well as in Wales itself; died at home in Pontypridd after a brief illness.