ROBERTS, RICHARD (Gruffydd Rhisiart; 1810 - 1883), writer and Independent preacher

Born 5 November 1809 at Diosg, Llanbryn-mair, youngest son of John Roberts (1767 - 1834). He was educated at the school kept by his father, was brought up to be a farmer, and had the chief responsibility for the smallholding, but like his brothers, 'S.R.' and 'J.R.,' he was keenly interested in writing. The periodicals of the time, especially Y Cronicl (which was edited by his brothers), abound with his articles and poems. In 1855 he published a novel, Jeffrey Jarman, y Meddwyn Diwygiedig, which he had entered unsuccessfully in an eisteddfod competition. An easy, familiar style made all his work very readable, and his lampoons were biting. He and his wife and daughter emigrated in 1856 to Tennessee, where, in 1857, they were joined by 'S.R.' They farmed there for about fifteen years but, owing to the dishonesty of those who 'sold' them the land and the ravages of the Civil War, they experienced a great deal of suffering, and on many occasions were in danger of their lives. In 1872 the two returned to Conway where their brother 'J.R.' was minister. 'G.R.,' as he was called, died 25 July 1883, and was buried in Conway cemetery.

Author

• Reverend Richard Griffith Owen, (1890 - 1973)

Sources

• E. Pan Jones, David Onllwyn Brace, Cofiant y Tri Brawd o Llanbrynmair a Conwy (Bala 1892)
• R. Williams, Montgomeryshire Worthies (1894), 288-9
• Iorwerth C. Peate, Hen Gapel Llanbrynmair, 1739–1939 (1939), 49-50
• Glanmor Williams, Samuel Roberts, Llanbrynmair (Cardiff 1950)
• NLW Archives: Minor Deposit 488: Llanbryn-mair Congregational Church

Images

• Alfred Ford Smith, Samuel Roberts, Richard Roberts and John Roberts, of Llanbryn-mair
• Alfred Ford Smith, Samuel Roberts, Richard Roberts and John Roberts, of Llanbryn-mair

Additional Links

• NLW Archives: Llawysgrifau S.R. a J.R.
• VIAF: 96803068
• Wikidata: Q18783922

Published date: 1959

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