John Roland Lloyd Thomas[1] (22 February 1908 – 11 April 1984)[2] was an Anglican priest and the Principal of St David's University College from 1953[3] to 1975.
He was ordained in 1933 and was the Curate at St John the Baptist, Cardiff from 1932 until 1940[4] when he became a Chaplain to the Forces.
[6] During his years as principal, in 1971 he led the college into membership of the federal University of Wales.
Previous principals had fought to maintain the college's independence, and the move was not universally popular, but it ultimately proved to be a turning point in the college's history, and saved it from near-certain bankruptcy.
[7] The title parodies previous claims that the college was like a moth, burning its wings as it tried to escape the light of the University of Wales.