LEVI, THOMAS (1825 - 1916), Calvinistic Methodist minister, editor of Trysorfa y Plant, and author

Name: Thomas Levi
Date of birth: 1825
Date of death: 1916
Spouse: Margaret Levi (née Jones)
Spouse: Elizabeth Levi (née Daniel)
Child: Thomas Arthur Levi
Parent: Prudence Levi
Parent: John Levi
Gender: Male
Occupation: Calvinistic Methodist minister, editor of Trysorfa y Plant, and author
Area of activity: Literature and Writing; Religion
Author: Thomas Arthur Levi

Born 12 October 1825 at Penrhos near Ystradgynlais, son of John and Prudence Levi. He received his early education at a school kept by an old soldier at Ystradgynlais, and later, while still a boy, worked at Ynyscedwyn iron works. About 1846 he began to preach at Cwmgïedd chapel, Ystradgynlais. He was minister of Capel yr Ynys, Ystradgynlais, about 1855-60, of Philadelphia, Morriston, 1860-76, and of Tabernacle, Aberystwyth, 1876-1901. He married (1), Elizabeth Daniel of Cwmgïedd (died 1871), and (2), 1873, Margaret, youngest daughter of Hugh and Catherine Jones of Coedmadoc, Tal-y-sarn, Caernarfonshire. He began his literary labours in 1853 and wrote thirty books. Today, the best known are: Hanes Prydain Fawr, 1862; Bywyd a Theithiau Livingstone, 1857; Gweddiau Teuluaidd, 1863; Hanesion y Beibl, 1870; Casgliad o Hen Farwnadau, 1872; Hanes y Beibl Cymraeg, 1876; Traethodau Bywgraffyddol, 1882 and after, published in a single volume entitled Cedyrn Cymru; Canmlwyddiant yr Ysgol Sabbothol, 1885. He also translated sixty books from English into Welsh, including Yr Anianydd Cristionogol, 1859; Crist a Gwroniaid y Byd Paganaidd, 1887. He co-operated with Dr. Joseph Parry in the production of 'Cantata yr Adar,' 1873; 'Cantata Joseph,' 1885; Hymnau a Thonau yr Ysgol Sabbothol, 1887, etc. But his chief literary achievement was the starting of Trysorfa y Plant, and its regular production every month for half a century- 1862-1911. Although this periodical was produced under the patronage of the Calvinistic Methodists, it was popular with every denomination. The circulation of Trysorfa y Plant, which ultimately reached 44,000 a month, was greater than had ever been known in Wales before. Its income was so great that it paid the entire cost of production of Y Drysorfa and Y Traethodydd. It was read by Welshmen all over the world and in it were published some of the earliest poems of Islwyn, Ceiriog, and others. Levi was moderator of the C.M. General Assembly in 1883 and of the South Wales Association in 1887. He played a prominent part in the setting up of monuments to Daniel Rowland, Thomas Charles, Williams of Pantycelyn, and bishop Morgan. He continued to preach until 1910 and to edit Trysorfa y Plant until 1911. He was nearly 91 when he died 16 June 1916. A list of his original works and of his translations of hymns was prepared at the request of the N.L.W., and this list will be found in that Library.

Author

Published date: 1959

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

The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is provided by The National Library of Wales and the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. It is free to use and does not receive grant support. A donation would help us maintain and improve the site so that we can continue to acknowledge Welsh men and women who have made notable contributions to life in Wales and beyond.

Find out more on our sponsorship page.