Dictionary of Welsh Biography

WILLIAMS, WILLIAM AUBREY (Gwilym Gwent; 1834 - 1891), musician with a ten pounds prize for a cantata, 'Y Mab Afradlon.' He was probably the most popular and possibly one of the most prolific composers in Wales in his time, producing part-songs, anthems, solos, etc. His part-songs called 'Yr Haf,' 'Cymru Gynt,' 'Y Gwanwyn,' 'Y Clychau,' 'Yr Afonig,' and 'Gwenau y Gwanwyn' were very popular during the second half of the 19th cent. His cantata, 'Plant y Tloty
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM EWART (1894 - 1966), physicist and inventor Born 3 March 1894 at Bodgarad, Rhostryfan, Caernarfonshire, eldest son of Ellis William Williams (manager of Cilgwyn slate quarry) and his wife Jane, Llys Twrog, Y Fron. After attending local schools he entered Owens College, Manchester University, where he had Rutherford, Bohr and Darwin as tutors. He graduated with honours in physics in 1915 and gained his M.Sc. (Manchester) degree in 1926
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM GILBERT (1874 - 1966), schoolmaster and local historian hon. M.A. degree of the University of Wales in 1930 for his contribution to the history of the nation. Some of his MSS. are in the Caernarfon Record Office and the National Library of Wales. He died a bachelor, 10 October 1966, at his home, Tal-y-bont, Rhostryfan.
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM JONES (1891 - 1945), revivalist, Apostolic pastor Brother of Daniel Powell Williams and his companion as prophet on his travels; born at Garn-foel, Pen-y-groes, Carmarthenshire, 9 May 1891. He began attending revival meetings at the age of ten, and in a meeting held at Llanllian chapel (CM) Evan Roberts and Dr. D.M. Phillips laid their hands on him wishing him to be led into the ministry. He was called to serve the Apostolic Church as prophet
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM JONES (1863 - 1949), civil servant, secretary of Kodak Limited, treasurer of Coleg Harlech and Urdd Gobaith Cymru several other societies, institutions, and bodies. Among these were Coleg Harlech (Treasurer, 1927-48, and subsequently Vice-President); Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Treasurer 1931-42), the Labour Party - he supported a Welsh Labour weekly Y Dinesydd, the Workers' Educational Association, the Caernarfonshire Historical Society, the Cambrian Archaeological Association. One major interest which he shared with his
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM LLEWELYN (1867 - 1922), Member of Parliament, lawyer, and author educated at Llandovery College, and afterwards (October 1885) entered Brasenose College, Oxford. He was there when the Dafydd ab Gwilym Society was founded (see T. Rowland Hughes in Y Llenor, 1931, and his own recollections in Cymru O.M.E., 1921); in the society he was known by the name of his college - 'the Brasen Nose.' He graduated with 2nd class honours in history, and was proxime accessit for the
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM MATTHEWS (1885 - 1972), musician Born 9 December 1885 at Pen y Bonc, Burwen, near Amlwch, Anglesey, the son of Richard and Ellen Williams, Victoria House, Amlwch. He showed musical promise at an early age. Encouraged by the local schoolmaster John Matthews, his parents bought him a small American organ, which he taught himself to play, and by the age of eight he was a regular accompanist at services in Capel Mawr, Amlwch. In
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM MORRIS (1883 - 1954), quarryman, choir conductor, soloist and cerdd dant adjudicator Born one of 7 children, 17 January 1883 in Tan-y-fron, Tanygrisiau, Meironnydd, son of William Morris Williams, quarryman, and his wife Jane. His father was precentor in Bethel (CM) chapel, Tanygrisiau for 25 years and the son began to assist him when he was 17. He married in 1905 Mair, daughter of Daniel and Mary Williams, Conglog, Tanygrisiau and they raised a musical family of 3 sons and 2
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM NANTLAIS (1874 - 1959), minister (Presb.), editor, poet and hymn writer Trefeca College. He took an interest in poetry at a young age and published a collection of his poems, Murmuron y Nant (1898), while he was a student. He won a bardic chair under the adjudication of Watcyn Wyn (Watkin Hezekiah Williams) at an eisteddfod in Ammanford in 1899, and he recieved a call soon afterwards to be pastor of the recently established church of Bethany in that town. He was ordained in
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM RETLAW JEFFERSON (c.1863 - 1944), solicitor, genealogist, and historian the African continent from the Cape to Cairo in 1909-10. He died in 1920. The second son, William Retlaw (which is Walter in reverse) became a solicitor in 1884, and had offices at Brecon and Tal-y-bont on Usk. There was a tradition of practising law in the family. The grandfather, Howell Williams, had married a sister of Walter Powell, the senior partner in the firm of Powell, Jones and Powell
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM SIDNEY GWYNN (1896 - 1978), musician and administrator joined the Wrexham firm of Emyr Williams, also working for the publishers Hughes and Son and editing the bilingual journal, Y Cerddor Newydd [The New Musician] from 1922 to 1929. He took an early interest in the folk tradition and in 1933 was appointed Secretary of the Welsh Folk-Song Society. In 1946 he succeeded J. Lloyd Williams (1854-1945) as editor of the Society's journal, and in 1957 was elected
WILLIAMS, ZEPHANIAH (1795 - 1874), Chartist Chartist leader. When it was decided to march on Newport on the night of 3 November 1839, Williams was entrusted with the leadership of the contingent of Chartists which met near Nant-y-glo. After the riot he was arrested on board ship at Cardiff, 23 November, tried and condemned to death, but had his sentence commuted to transportation for life. In Tasmania he made attempts to escape, but eventually

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