David Hughes (Eos Iâl)

David Hughes (c. 1794 - 2 March 1862), known by his bardic name of Eos Iâl, was a Welsh poet and publisher.[1] Hughes is known as the author of the plygain carol Ar Gyfer Heddiw'r Bore [cy].

Early life

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Hughes was born in around 1794, probably at "Brynllwynog", Bryneglwys near Corwen, Denbighshire. In the 1820s he moved a few miles away to Cynwyd, in the parish of Llangar. He married twice and fathered eight children. He lived in "Nhŷ yr Ardd", Pentre, a hamlet near Bryneglwys. Fond of alcohol when a young man, he was subsequently drawn to the evangelical temperance movement, becoming one of its leaders as well as an Oddfellow and a member of the Baptist church, firstly at Cynwyd and then at Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy, where, dying aged 67, he was buried.[1][2]

Poet

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In 1824 he won an Eisteddfod in Corwen and remained a competitor until 1835. In 1839 he published a volume of verse which proved highly popular. Bob Owen, Croesor [cy] says, of this collection: "Much of its content is of a popular appeal and of ephemeral value."[1][2] His work critiqued what he regarded as the prevailing social and moral laxity of his day.[3]

Printing and publishing

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In 1837 he bought a printing press, producing a small number of books and some songs and carols.[1]

Works published

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  • "Ffrwyth y Profiad neu Waedd yn Erbyn Meddwdod" ("The Fruit of Experience or Tirade against Drunkenness") (pamphlet)
  • "Araith Beelsebub Tywysog y Fagddu Fawr" ("The Great Prince Beelzebub") (pamphlet)
  • "Udgorn y Jubili a'r Gynadledd" ("Trumpet of the Jubilee and Conference") (held by Bangor University Library)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Robert (Bob) Owen, O.B.E., M.A., (1885-1962). "The National Library of Wales: Dictionary of Welsh Biography". yba.llgc.org. Retrieved 22 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b Robert (Bob) Owen, O.B.E., M.A., (1885-1962). "Y Bywgraffiadur Arlein" (in Welsh). National Library of Wales. Retrieved 22 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion - 1940 1941, p. 156: Dafydd Hughes (Eos Iâl)" (in Welsh). Digital record at National Library of Wales. Retrieved 22 December 2016.

Further reading

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  • Jones, Rhuthyn: R. (1839). Eos Iâl sef Llyfr Barddonawl(heb fod yr un llinell o hono yn argraffedig o'r blaen) yn cynwys awdlau, cywyddau ac englynion ar wahanol destynau; hefyd, carolau, cerddi, marwnadau, emynau buddiol, ynghyd a Galarnad y gwrthgiliwr o ben Amana, o gopa Senir a Hermon , Rhuthyn, 1839 … gan Dafydd Hughes , Llansantffraid Glyndyfrdwy (in Welsh).
  • Hughes, Dafydd (1940). The Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion. pp. 156–179.
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