THOMAS, WILLIAM THEOPHILUS (Gwilym Gwenffrwd; 1824 - 1899), Congregational minister and poet

Born at Holywell, Flintshire. As a young man he went to Manchester, where he joined the Welsh Congregational church at Gartside, and was of much service to it and to other churches in the vicinity. He served as an assistant preacher until 1851, in which year he was ordained - at Cana, Llanddaniel, Anglesey. His health broke down during the short period which he spent there. Having recovered his strength he moved to Mold to serve in the office of a solicitor; later he was invited to take charge of Soar and Jerusalem Congregational churches near the town. When he was in Manchester he associated with members of the Welsh societies and exercised his gifts as poet and prose-writer, writing much to Welsh periodicals. He was the author of Y Trefniedydd Cyfreithiol, 1863, and Sylwadau ar Fodolaeth Enaid, 1883. He died at Mold, 11 May 1899.

Author

• Reverend John Dyfnallt Owen, (1873 - 1956)

Sources

• Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru, iv, 429
• The Congregational Year Book, 1900
• Catalogue of Printed Literature in the Welsh Department, Cardiff Free Libraries (1898)
• H. Blackwell, NLW MS 9271A: A Dictionary of Welsh Biography

Works

• Gwilym Gwenffrwd, Ymgom ar Ddeddf Newydd yr Angladdau (Bala 1881)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20568221

Published date: 1959

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