abstract:The Very Revd David Howell (1831 – 1903) was the fourth Dean Although an ancient foundation, before 1840 the senior residentiary cleric was the Precentor, and not a Dean, due to a complication during the dissolution of the monasteries > “Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi, 1181-1981 / St David’s Cathedral, 1181-1981” St David’s, Gwasg yr Oriel Fach, 1981 ISBN 0-905421-02-7 of St David's. London Gazette He was ordained in 1856 and began his career as Curate of Neath.