Reverend Calvert Richard Jones, Jr. British, b. Wales, 1804-1877
Calvert Jones was part of the circle of Welsh amateur photographers that emerged around John Dillwyn Llewelyn and were strongly influenced by William Henry Fox Talbot. Educated at Oriel College, Oxford, Jones returned to Wales in 1829 after his ordination to serve as rector of Loughor near his native town of Swansea. A man of varied interests, including mathematics, music, and painting, he was introduced to photography by Welsh members of Talbot's family.
In 1845, after lessons and practical experience in calotyping with Talbot in Britain, Jones embarked on a trip to Malta and Italy, during which he produced a number of views. On his return, he sent 22 small calotypes and 102 larger ones to Talbot, who sold them on commission. Jones's training in art, especially marine painting, lends his images considerable confidence of composition, tone, and scale. T.W.F.