WALTERS, JOHN (1760 - 1789), cleric, poet, and scholar

Born 11 June 1760 at Llandough, eldest son of John Walters, rector of Llandough. He was educated at Cowbridge grammar school. He matriculated as of Jesus College, Oxford, in 1777, and graduated B.A. in 1781, M.A. 1784. He was sub-librarian in the Bodleian Library. In 1783 he was appointed headmaster of Cowbridge grammar school, becoming also curate at Cowbridge. Towards the end of 1784 he was appointed headmaster of Ruthin grammar school; a little later he became rector of Efenechtyd, where he died 28 June 1789.

He won some prominence as a poet (in English), and when he was a student at Jesus College he published Poems with Notes , 1780. It is clear that his father had caused him to become interested in Welsh studies, and in 1782 he published metrical translations of some old Welsh poems - Translated Specimens of Welsh Poetry. He attracted the attention of some London Welshmen, and, after the death of Richard Thomas (1753 - 1780) he was persuaded to publish the poems of Llywarch Hen, with a translation into English. Part of this translation appeared in Warrington , The History of Wales, 1788. Walters gave Edward Jones (Bardd y Brenin) some notes to be included in the introduction to his Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards, 1784. Letters of the time show that London Welshmen looked upon Walters as a young scholar who might be able to further their plans. He published other works, among them being an edition of Roger Ascham, Toxophilus.

Author

• Emeritus Professor Griffith John Williams, (1892 - 1963)

Sources

• Robert Williams, Enwogion Cymru. A Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Welshmen (1852)
• Geirlyfr Bywgraffiadol o Enwogion Cymru (1870)
• Notable Welshmen (1700–1900) (1908)

Further Reading

• Wikipedia Article: John Walters

Additional Links

• VIAF: 39549388
• Wikidata: Q6262936

Published date: 1959

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