WILLIAMS, JOHN (Gorfyniawc o Arfon; 1814 - 1878), musician

Born at Tal-y-bont, near Bangor, Caernarfonshire, the son of Thomas Williams, sawyer. He learnt the elements of music in the school of Robert Williams, Carneddi, Llanllechid. When he was 25 he went to Liverpool, where he received further instruction in music from a Thomas Woodward; he also learned some Hebrew. He obtained a post in the offices of the Liverpool gas company and eventually became its chief secretary.

In 1847 he began to issue Y Canrhodydd Cymreig, in parts, but owing to printing difficulties only four parts appeared. In the same year he published a Gramadeg Cerddorol, which proved a financial loss to him. In 1849 he arranged a new edition of Gramadeg Cerddoriaeth (John Mills). He wrote articles on music for Y Gwyddoniadur Cymreig, and composed or arranged hymn-tunes for Telyn Seion (R. Beynon), for Seren Gomer, and for some collections issued by Richard Mills. He adjudicated in various musical festivals and in the Caernarvon national eisteddfod of 1862.

He died 27 March 1878, and was buried in the Liverpool Necropolis.

Author

• Robert David Griffith, (1877 - 1958)

Sources

• M. O. Jones, Bywgraffiaeth Cerddorion Cymreig (1890)
• Y Cylchgrawn: sef cyfrwng gwybodaeth grefydol a buddiol ac hanesion eglwysig a gwladol, 1851
• Y Cerddor, June 1893

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q28361542

Published date: 1959

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