GRIFFITH, WILLIAM JOHN (1875 - 1931), writer of short stories

Born at Bwlan, Aberffraw, Anglesey, 15 September 1875, son of Thomas Lewis Griffith, farmer and valuer, and Margaret Griffith of Bwlan. The family went to live at Cefn Coch farm, Llansadwrn, near Beaumaris, where Griffith lived until he was 24 years of age. He was educated at Llansadwrn and at Beaumaris grammar-school, won an agricultural scholarship to the university college, Bangor, and took a short course there. His father returned to his old home, Henllys Fawr, Aberffraw, leaving Griffith in charge of Cefn Coch, but after about three years he too returned to Henllys Fawr, where he spent the remainder of his life. He joined the army in 1914 but on the death of his father in 1916 was discharged to look after the farm; he was an able farmer. He died, unmarried, 7 October 1931. He began to write short plays for the local dramatic societies but did not come into prominence until his very amusing short stories appeared in Y Genedl Gymreig. He won the Genedl eisteddfod prize in 1924 with his story ' Eos y Pentan.' A year later his story ' Yr Hen Siandri ' was published in the same paper and from that time on his reputation was assured. He wrote five other stories for the Genedl as well as a number of articles. In 1938 the stories, edited by T. Rowland Hughes, were published under the title Storïau'r Henllys Fawr (Gwasg Aberystwyth). His stories, though hilarious, are not merely comic, for they are full of rural atmosphere and are based on the philosophy and observation of the countryman.

Author

• Edward Morgan Humphreys, (1882 - 1955)

Sources

• Personal recollections, and information received from his sister, Mrs. Prys Owen

Additional Links

• VIAF: 71164497
• Wikidata: Q13132358

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/