 He was one of the first students who entered Carmarthen College, and one of the first who went out as pioneers of education in South Wales, when schoolmasters' salaries ranged from thirty pounds to forty pounds a year.During his early years, he served as chief librarian to Sir Thomas Phillipps, Middle Hall, Cheltenham.Rowlands was a schoolmaster by profession, and in that capacity, he spent 10 years at Rumney; 16 years at Dinas Powys; and he spent some years also at Risca and Bedwas in a similar capacity.