William Williams (Caledfryn)
Caledfryn | |
|---|---|
 Engraving from Ceinion Llenyddiaeth Gymreig (1876) | |
| Born | William Williams 6 February 1901 Bryn y Ffynnon, Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales |
| Died | 23 March 1869 (aged 68) Groes-wen, Glamorgan |
| Occupation | Minister, poet, writer, editor |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Years active | 1820s - 1860s |
William Williams (pen name "Caledfryn" or "Gwilym Caledfryn") (6 February 1801 – 23 March 1869) was a Welsh Congregational minister, poet and literary critic born at Bryn y Ffynnon, Denbigh. He was one of the leading figures in the Welsh Eisteddfod movement and did much to raise the standards of Welsh literature of his time.
Biography[]
He was from a family of weavers at Bryn y Ffynnon. He studied at Rotherham College before becoming ordained as a minister with the Independents in 1829. He was prominent in the Anti-Corn Law League, the Peace Society and the Society for the Liberation of Religion which sought to separate the church from the state.[1]
He tried to standardize Welsh as a literary language and wrote a number of articles and criticisms on Welsh poetry, becoming popular in the first half of the 19th century. In 1851 he published an important book of Welsh grammar.[1]
He edited many periodicals, including Y Sylwedydd', (1831), Tywysog Cymru (1832-3), Y Seren Ogleddol (1835-6), Yr Adolygydd (1838-9), Cylchgrawn Rhyddid (1845-6), Yr Amaethydd (1845-6). He assisted with Yr Adolygydd (Cardiff, 1852-63), Y Gwron Cymreig (1852-6), Y Gwladgarwr (1863-8) and Y Dysgedydd.[1]
He published Cyfarwyddiadur i Ddarllen ac Ysgrifennu Cymraeg ("A Guide to reading and writing Welsh", 1821); Grawn Awen, a volume of verse in 1826; Drych Barddonol neu Draethawd ar Farddoniaeth (an essay on Poetry) in 1839; Grammadeg Cymreig ("A Welsh Grammar"), 1851.[1]
He spent the last days of his life in South Wales as minister at Independent Chapel, near Cardiff in Glamorgan.
Literary work[]
Poetry[]
- Grawn Awen (1826)
- Caniadau Caledfryn (1856)
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "The National Library of Wales :: Dictionary of Welsh Biography". yba.llgc.org.uk. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
External links[]
- Glamorgan Archives: Groes-wen Independent Chapel records at archiveswales.org.uk
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| General | |
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- 1801 births
- 1869 deaths
- Welsh Congregationalist ministers
- Welsh poets
- Welsh literary critics