OWEN, JOHN (1757 - 1829), writer on religious topics

Name: John Owen
Date of birth: 1757
Date of death: 1829
Gender: Male
Occupation: writer on religious topics
Area of activity: Literature and Writing; Religion
Author: Robert Thomas Jenkins

Born in 1757 at Machynlleth, where for many years he had a grocer's business and was also partner with Hugh Williams the Chartist lawyer (1796 - 1874) in the Dylife lead mines. He joined the Methodists in early life, but though a stout Methodist he disapproved of the secession of 1811. On his wife's death, he removed to Llangyndeyrn, Carmarthenshire, where he died in 1829, aged 72. He was interested in theology and in astronomy, and his literary output is rather surprising when we consider his career. In 1788 he published Troedigaeth Atheos, a kind of epic in imitation of Williams of Pantycelyn's Theomemphus, with notes borrowed mostly from Golwg ar y Byd by Dafydd Lewys of Cadoxton-juxta-Neath - this work, described in Llyfryddiaeth y Cymry 633, went to a second edition in 1818 (and a third in 1871). In 1797 he published Golygiadau ar Achosion ag Effeithiau'r Cyfnewidiad yn Ffrainc, a noteworthy manifesto of the Welsh Methodist attitude towards political problems (analysis in J. J. Evans, Dylanwad y Chwyldro Ffrengig, 169-70). To 1818 belongs his Golygiad ar Adfywiad Crefydd yn yr Eglwys Sefydledig yng Nghymru o ddeutu y flwyddyn 1737, a work occasioned by the death of John Evans (1723 - 1817) of Bala, and containing notes on Methodist preachers. Owen also published Difrifol Ystyriaeth, 1789, Tair Cerdd Newydd, 1795, and Golygiad ar Athrawiaeth y Drindod ac ar Berson Crist, 1820. His grandson, David Charles Lloyd-Owen, is separately noticed.

Author

Published date: 1959

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