LEWIS (or LEWES), DAVID (1520? - 1584), first principal of Jesus College, Oxford
Name: David Lewis
Date of birth: 1520?
Date of death: 1584
Parent: Lucy Wallis (née Lloyd)
Parent: Lewis Wallis
Gender: Male
Occupation: first principal of Jesus College, Oxford
Area of activity: Education
Author: Thomas Iorwerth Ellis
Born at Abergavenny, eldest son of Lewis Wallis, vicar of Abergavenny and Llandeilo Bertholau, and Lucy his wife, daughter of Llewelyn Thomas Lloyd of Bedwellty. He was educated at All Souls’; College, Oxford, graduating B.C.L. in 1540 and D.C.L. in 1548, and becoming a Fellow of his College. He was principal of New Inn Hall, a master in Chancery, a member of Parliament for Steyning and then for Monmouthshire; subsequently (1571-2), he was principal of Jesus College. From 1558 he was judge of the High Court of the Admiralty, and was active in connection with the various maritime cases that arose during Elizabeth I’s reign. He also suggested means to improve the troubled state of parts of Wales. He died unmarried in London, 27 April 1584, and was buried (24 May) at Abergavenny, at the north end of the church, since known as the Lewis chapel.