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BlazonShield: Quarterly, 1, Gules, on a bend Or between two bezants, three lions' heads erased Proper (Francis); 2, Argent, three leopards' heads Azure (Atwell); 3, Gules three antique crowns Or (Grant); 4, Or, a fess chequey Argent and Azure (Stewart). Crest: A lion statant Proper. Motto: Spes mea in Deo (My hope in God). |
George Grant Francis was a prominent 19th century Swansea citizen, who served as Mayor of the Borough in 1853-54 and was Colonel of the 1st Glamorgan Artillery Volunteers, a regiment which he raised in 1859.
Francis was prominent in numerous local projects, including preservation of the endowments of Swansea Grammar School (now Bishop Gore School), preservation and restoration of Oystermouth Castle and other local monuments. He was also involved in the establishment of the Royal Institution of South Wales in 1835 and the Cambrian Archæological Association in 1846, and represented Swansea as its local commissioner at the Great Exhibition of 1851. He was a lover of history, wrote various works on history, especially of Swansea, and was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA).
George married Sarah Richardson, daughter of John Richardson. His brother, John Deffett Francis (1815-1901) was a famous portrait painter.
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| George Grant Francis. |
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| Francis's arms in Swansea Guildhall. |
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| Francis's arms on the Swansea Charter Chest (above), impaled with those of his wife, Sarah. |
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| Francis impaling Richardson, without the Stewart quarter (as on the charter chest). |
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| Francis's monogram appeared in some of the books he wrote, including his quartered shield and motto. Ⓒ |
