Dictionary of Welsh Biography

DAFYDD, MEURIG (fl. second half of the 16th century), professional bard, staunch Papist, and one of the most important literary characters in Glamorgan genealogist and historian and discharged the duties of a 'herehaut' in the court at Ludlow. His poetical works, written in his own hand, are to be found in Llanover MS. B. 5. Composed in the strict metres, they are cold, stereotyped, and uninspired, with none of the fire which characterized the poetry of his master Lewys Morgannwg. The fictions invented by Iolo Morganwg about the part played by Meurig
DEWI Saint , founder and abbot-bishop of S. Davids, and patron saint of Wales Rhygyfarch's work; so also is his 'Life' by John of Tynemouth (c. 1290 - 1350). The Welsh 'Life' also is a translation and an adaptation of Rhygyfarch's work: the earliest version is found in 'The Book of the Anchorite of Llanddewi-frefi' (1346). Odes to David were composed by many later poets, e.g. Iolo Goch, Ieuan Rhydderch ap Ieuan Llwyd, Dafydd Llwyd ap Llywelyn, Rhisiart ap Rhys, Lewis Glyn Cothi. In
DAVIES, EDWARD (Celtic Davies; 1756 - 1831), cleric and author that what is found in all ancient mythology is the pure patriarchal religion corrupted in the period which came after the Deluge. Although he showed considerable sagacity on occasion, he had no sort of qualification for the interpretation of the old poetry. On the other hand it must be remembered that he was one of the first to doubt the authenticity of what Edward Williams (Iolo Morganwg) asserted
DAVIES, EDWARD (Iolo Trefaldwyn; 1819 - 1887), poet and eisteddfodwr pryddest ' Goleuni ' (Light). There was considerable demand for his services at local eisteddfodau and competitive meetings as adjudicator, reciter, and singer of penillion. Shortly before his death he published a book of verse, Caneuon Iolo Trefaldwyn. He could turn out an excellent englyn and was one of the best epitaph writers of his day. He was for twenty-one years precentor of Zion C.M. chapel
DAVIES, EVAN (Myfyr Morganwg; 1801 - 1888), bard and 'archdruid' religions of the East; he believed that Christianity was but Druidism in a Jewish garb. In consequence, as he claimed to have succeeded to the post of archdruid after the death in 1847 of Taliesin Williams, son of Iolo Morganwg, he began, c. 1853, to hold religious and druidical services near the 'Maen Chwyf' (the Rocking Stone) at Pontypridd. These meetings were held at the time of the two equinoxes and
DAVIES, JAMES (Iaco ap Dewi; 1648 - 1722), translator, copyist and collector of manuscripts , e.g. to the well-known library at Pen-y-benglog, Pembrokeshire, to collect his material. The best proof of the importance of his work lies in the fact that he and Samuel Williams have transcribed in Llanstephan MS 133 a large number of poems of which no other copy exists. Iolo Morganwg had learned from his friend Tomos Glyn Cothi something about Iaco ab Dewi's manuscripts, but the claims he makes on
DAVIES, JOHN (Brychan; 1784? - 1864), poet, publisher, and promoter of the friendly society movement rural culture could become acclimatized among the raw industrial communities of 'the Hills.' Davies came under the influence (c. 1814) of Iolo Morganwg, and was initiated in 1818 into Iolo's 'Gorsedd': he bore a leading part in the eisteddfodic movement in Monmouthshire, and co-operated with Taliesin ap Iolo, Carnhuanawc, Cynddelw, D. Rhys Stephen, and other literati of the district at that time. But
DAVIES, MORGAN (d. 1857), sexton of Llanelltyd, Merioneth, and minor poet (Dolgelley, 1853), which contains the poems of his friend Morris Davies (Meurig Ebrill, 1780 - 1861); his name appears also in the list of subscribers to that volume. He was acquainted with Robert Davies (Bardd Nantglyn, 1769 - 1835) and Edward Davies (Iolo Trefaldwyn, 1819 - 1887); poems to him by both of them appearing in NLW MS 672D. He was buried at Llanelltyd, 23 September 1857.
DAVIES, ROBERT (Bardd Nantglyn; 1769 - 1835), poet and grammarian warmly supported by him. It was he who won the prize at Caerwys in 1798 for an awdl on 'Cariad i'n Gwlad,' and in the provincial eisteddfod of Dyfed held at Carmarthen in 1819 he was co-adjudicator with Iolo Morganwg. His successes included the prize at Wrexham in 1820 for an awdl on the death of George III, and several prizes at Beaumaris in 1832. But his eisteddfod activities brought him also a good
DAVIES, WALTER (Gwallter Mechain; 1761 - 1849), cleric, poet, antiquary, and literary critic North Wales (London, 1813), and a similar work, in two volumes, on South Wales, 1815 (Vol. I, Vol. II), which owed much to Iolo Morganwg; he also edited the works of the poets Huw Morys, 1823, and Lewis Glyn Cothi, 1837 - the latter in collaboration with John Jones (Tegid, 1792 - 1852); and further published in 1827 an edition of the metrical translation of the Psalms into Welsh made by William
DAVIES, WILLIAM (1756 - 1823), compiler of an unpublished history of Glamorgan remained in the form of 'collectanea' dispersed all over Glamorgan, is clear from an examination of those portions of it which survive among the G. T. Clark and Traherne-Mansel-Franklen MSS. in the National Library of Wales. A memorial tablet to him was unveiled in the Neath public library in March 1923. The historian knew Edward Williams (Iolo Morganwg, 1747 - 1826), some of whose Glamorgan notes are
DAVIS, DAVID (Dafis Castellhywel; 1745 - 1827), Arian minister, poet, and schoolmaster (Iolo Morganwg), Thomas Roberts, of Llwyn'rhudol, John Jones of Glan-y-gors, and Thomas Evans (Tomos Glyn Cothi); and through his influence many in his neighbourhood became supporters of the French Revolution. In 1801-2 there was dissension in his churches, and the more advanced elements built the Unitarian chapels at Pant-y-defaid and Capel-y-groes. He retired 16 January 1820 after having been a

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