A biography of the Llandwrog born actuary, Griffith Davies (1788-1855) was written about 1851 by his nephew, Thomas Barlow with some help from Griffith Davies himself and Sarah Holbut Dew, ne Davies, his daughter. Griffith Davies was educated at Caernarfon and, having worked in farming and quarrying, sailed in 1809 from Caernarfon to London to find work there. The biography describes his initial struggle to gain work in London, knowing no one, with limited funds or knowledge of English. He eventually found employment initially as a private maths tutor and later opened his own school. In 1812 he married Mary Holbut, a relative of a former pupil Jonas Holbut. His career in London became increasingly successful and he worked as a consultant actuary with the Guardian Insurance Company, the Reversionary Interest Society and East India Company. His biographer and nephew, Thomas Barlow also worked in insurance, for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Office, London.
The first biographical work of Griffith Davies by Thomas Barlow was later revised and a typescript version produced by Davies' great granddaughter Catherine Dew Roberts of Bangor.
From the guide to the Griffith Davies Papers, 1851-1940s, (Bangor University)
