Owen Gruffydd

Owen Gruffydd (1643-1730) was a Welsh poet[1] partly noted for a lament on the decline of the Welsh language in the early 18th century.[2]

Contemporary caricature portrait of Welsh-language poet, antiquary and genealogist Owen Gruffydd (1643-1730). Reproduced from an early 18th century MS. in the literary journal Y Llenor (Book 2, 1895)

Not much is known about Owen Gruffydd's early life and career except that he was born in the parish of Llanystumdwy, Caernarfonshire. It is likely that he lived much of his life there and in the outlying parishes. Gruffydd was a weaver by profession. He was, however, known more for his poetic gifts. He also earned a name as a genealogist.[3]

Poems

Gruffydd's poems were mostly composed in honor of the aristocracy living in the surrounding countryside. He wrote such poems in the old Welsh tradition. He also wrote some other types poems which were more popular verse. An example of these were the carols for Christmastide. Selected works of Gruffydd were published in Carolau a Dyriau Duwiol (1688), in Blodeu Gerdd Cymry (1759) and in Gwaith Owen Gruffydd (1904), edited by O. M. Edwards. A large collection of his works is archived in the British Museum and the National Library of Wales.[3]

Later life

Gruffydd gradually lost his sight with old age and he dictated his verse to friends.

References
  1. Thomas Powel; Sir Isambard Owen; Egerton Grenville Bagot Phillimore (1888). Y Cymmrodor: The Magazine of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion. The Society. pp. 1–.
  2. Megan S. Lloyd (2007). "Speak it in Welsh": Wales and the Welsh Language in Shakespeare. Lexington Books. pp. 37–. ISBN 978-0-7391-1760-6.
  3. Milwyn Griffiths, Griffith. "Owen Gruffydd". Retrieved 6 March 2014.


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