author
Henry Jenner
1848–1934
A leading figure in the Cornish cultural revival, he helped bring new life to the Cornish language and gave it a place in modern public life. His work blends scholarship, local pride, and a real sense of mission.
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About the author
Born in St Columb Major, Cornwall, in 1848, Henry Jenner became one of the key early champions of the Cornish language revival. He worked for many years at the British Museum, where his interest in old languages and manuscripts deepened, and he built a reputation as a scholar of Celtic studies.
Jenner is best remembered for arguing that Cornish was not just a subject for antiquarians, but a language that could be studied, taught, and used again. His 1904 book Handbook of the Cornish Language became a landmark in the revival movement and helped inspire later generations of learners, writers, and activists.
He was also active in wider Cornish cultural life, supporting organizations and ceremonies that strengthened Cornwall's distinct identity. By the time of his death in 1934, he was widely seen as a central force in the modern rediscovery of Cornish heritage.