Lewis was born in Llanilar, Ceredigion, and named after his father who had died before Lewis was born. He was raised by his mother Mary, daughter of John Richards. Lewis was educated at the grammar schools in Ystrad Meurig and Aberystwyth, as well as at a school in Twickenham run by his father"s brother.
Jesus College.
He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1841 and his Master of Arts in 1863. Whilst at college, he rowed at stroke in the college boat when it was Head of the River. He was ordained deacon and priest in 1842 by the Bishop of Bangor, Christopher Bethell.
He held a succession of church positions.
He was curate of various churches on Anglesey – Llanddeusant (1842-1843), Llanfaes with Penmon (1843-1845), Llanfihangel Ysgeifiog (1845-1846) – before becoming curate of Llanllechid in Caernarfonshire in 1847. He left this position in 1859 to become vicar of Aberdare in Glamorgan, returning to North Wales in 1866 as rector of Dolgellau, Merionethshire, remaining until 1884.
During this time, he was also rural dean of Ystumanner (1866-1884), chancellor of Bangor Cathedral (1872-1876) and canon residentiary (1877-1884). In 1884, he was appointed as Dean of the cathedral, and held this position until his death, in the Deanery, on 24 November 1901.
He was buried in the churchyard at Llandegai, Caernarfonshire, near to the grave of Bishop Bethell.
Lewis was twice married. After her early death the following year, he re-married in 1865 Adelaide Owen Morrall, daughter of Review Cyrus Morrall, of Plasyolyn, Shropshire.
When this led to controversy, he defended his position in letters (in Welsh) in Y Cymro, which were later published in book format.
