LEWIS, DAVID (1828 - 1908), musician

Born 12 November 1828 at Hen Dŷ Mawr, Llanrhystud, Cardiganshire, the son of Lewis and Margaret Lewis. The father was a good vocalist and it was he, together with Thomas Jenkins, the teacher of John Roberts (Ieuan Gwyllt), who gave the son his first lessons in music. When he was 15 he began to compose and to conduct singing classes. His first prize for a hymn-tune was won in a competition at which Edward Stephen (Tanymarian) was adjudicator. After that he won several prizes at eisteddfodau - e.g. three prizes at Llandudno 1864, one at Aberystwyth 1865, two at the Aberdare national eisteddfod 1868, and two at Swansea 1868. Many of his compositions were published in Y Cerddor Cymreig, Greal y Corau, Y Gerddorfa, and Cronicl y Cerddor.

With Gwilym Gwent, he edited a collection of hymn-tunes, Llwybrau Moliant, for use in Baptist churches; he also assisted in the preparation of Caniadau y Cysegr a'r Teulu (Gee) and with most hymn-tune collections published thereafter. He composed a large number of hymn-tunes, some of which were collected and edited by J. T. Rees. He served as music adjudicator throughout Wales. During his later years he devoted much of his time to research on the authorship of tunes and hymns.

For descriptions of his numerous manuscripts, together with those of his brother, John Lewis (Eos Glan Wyre), see N.L.W. Handlist of MSS., xiii.

He died 6 October 1908, and was buried in Llanrhystud churchyard.

Author

• Robert David Griffith, (1877 - 1958)

Sources

• Y Cerddor, 1902 and November 1908
• NLW Archives: NLW MS 8177-8277: Lewis, Llanrhystyd Manuscripts

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20732852

Published date: 1959

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