William Williams (Caledfryn)

Caledfryn

Engraving from Ceinion Llenyddiaeth Gymreig (1876)
Born William Williams
(1901-02-06)6 February 1901
Bryn y Ffynnon, Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales
Died 23 March 1869(1869-03-23) (aged 68)
Groes-wen, Glamorgan
Occupation Minister, poet, writer, editor
Nationality Welsh

William Williams (pen name "Caledfryn" or "Gwilym Caledfryn") (6 February 1801 – 23 March 1869) was a Welsh Congregational minister, poet and literary critic born at Bryn y Ffynnon, Denbigh. He was one of the leading figures in the Welsh Eisteddfod movement and did much to raise the standards of Welsh literature of his time.

Biography

He was from a family of weavers at Bryn y Ffynnon. Hie studied at Rotherham College before becoming ordained as a minister with the Independents in 1829. He was prominent in the Anti-Corn Law League, the Peace Society and the Society for the Liberation of Religion which sought to separate the church from the state.[1]

He tried to standardize Welsh as a literary language and wrote a number of articles and criticisms on Welsh poetry, becoming popular in the first half of the 19th century. In 1851 he published an important book of Welsh grammar.[1]

He edited many periodicals, including Y Sylwedydd', (1831), Tywysog Cymru (1832-3), Y Seren Ogleddol (1835-6), Yr Adolygydd (1838-9), Cylchgrawn Rhyddid (1845-6), Yr Amaethydd (1845-6). He assisted with Yr Adolygydd (Cardiff, 1852-63), Y Gwron Cymreig (1852-6), Y Gwladgarwr (1863-8) and Y Dysgedydd.[1]

He published Cyfarwyddiadur i Ddarllen ac Ysgrifennu Cymraeg ("A Guide to reading and writing Welsh", 1821); Grawn Awen, a volume of verse in 1826; Drych Barddonol neu Draethawd ar Farddoniaeth (an essay on Poetry) in 1839; Grammadeg Cymreig ("A Welsh Grammar"), 1851.[1]

He spent the last days of his life in South Wales as minister at Groeswen Independent Chapel, near Caerphilly in Glamorgan.

Literary work

Poetry

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The National Library of Wales :: Dictionary of Welsh Biography". yba.llgc.org.uk. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
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