WYNNE, WILLIAM (1671? - 1704), historian

He came of the family of Wynne of Garthewin, Llanfair Talhaiarn (see J. E. Griffith, Pedigrees, 167), a cadet branch of the Wynne of Melai family (ibid. 376); a Robert Wynne (died 1682), younger son of John Wynne of Melai, married Margaret Price, heiress of Garthewin; their son, Robert Wynne (1636 - 1680), rector of Llan-ddeiniolen and of Llaniestyn, and canon of Bangor, married Catherine Madryn, heiress of Llannerch Fawr (Llannor, near Pwllheli). The eldest son of this marriage was ROBERT WYNNE (died 1743), Fellow of Jesus (Oxford) 1681-91, vicar of Gresford and chancellor of St Asaph 1690-1743, a supporter of the S.P.C.K. and of the charity-school movement; the youngest was the historian. Born in all probability in 1671 (certainly not later than 12 November 1671), he went up to Jesus College in March 1687/8, took his first degree in 1691, became Fellow of Jesus in 1692, and seems to have resided continuously at Oxford till 1702 at least. In 1702 he was preferred to the rectory of Llanfachraeth in Anglesey, but there is no evidence that he ever resided there; he is called 'bishop's chaplain' on his tombstone. According to a marginal note in the Llanfachraeth register, he died in May 1704. At Oxford, he was one of the circle of Edward Lhuyd. In 1697, he published a History of Wales - really a working-over of the Historie of Cambria (1584) of David Powel; it was reprinted (unaltered) in 1702, again (with some changes) in 1774 and 1812, and finally in 1832 (with topographical notes by Richard Llwyd of Llannerch Brochwel). Its merits are slight, but it remained for well-nigh two centuries the 'stock' book on mediaeval Welsh history, for English readers.

Author

• Emeritus Professor Robert Thomas Jenkins, (1881 - 1969)

Sources

• Fuller discussion in Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, vi, 153 - 9

Further Reading

• Wikipedia Article: William Wynne

Works

• Caradog of Llancarfan, John Price, David Powell (ed.), William Wynne (ed.), The history of Wales. Written originally in British, by Caradoc of Llancarfan, Englished by Dr. Powell, and augmented by W. Wynne, Fellow of Jesus College, Oxon. To which is added, a description of Wales, by Sir John Price (London 1774)
• Philipp George Hubner, Caradog of Llancarfan, David Powell (ed.), William Wynne (ed.), Die Historie von Walles, in sich haltend derer Printzen von Walles Leben und Thaten. Von Cadwalader dem letzten Könige an, biss auf Lhewelinum, den letzten Printzen Brittannischen Geblüthes (Coburg 1725)

Additional Links

• VIAF: 90740311
• Wikidata: Q8020629

Published date: 1959

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