Lewis Morris (1701-1765)
Encyclopedia
Lewis Morris was a Welsh
hydrographer
, antiquary, poet
and lexicographer, the eldest of the Morris brothers of Anglesey.
Lewis Morris was the eldest son of Morris ap Rhisiart Morris, a farmer, of Llanfihangel-Tre'r-Beirdd in Anglesey
.
His bardic name was Llewelyn Ddu o Fôn ("Black Llewelyn [Lewis] of Anglesey"). The correspondence between him and his younger brothers is a valuable historical source. In 1751, he founded the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
along with his brother Richard
.
The idea for the survey probably arose while he was working as a Customs official in Holyhead, where he would have come into contact with many seafarers. At this time there were no accurate and up-to-date hydrographic charts of the Welsh coast and many ships and lives were lost as a result.
Morris put his idea for a survey to the Admiralty
, but they showed little interest and he was obliged to undertake the work at his own expense. The result of his efforts was the publication of Plans of harbours, bars, bays, and roads in St. George's-Channel in 1748.
While this work had a major impact on the safety of shipping around the Welsh coast at the time; Morris's contribution to British cartography was for many years eclipsed by his other achievements.
. He visited London several times in order to contest court cases relating to his industrial activities; whilst there, he assisted his brother Richard
in setting up the Cymmrodorion Society. However, Lewis's long-term project, the publication of a dictionary, was never completed.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
hydrographer
Hydrography
Hydrography is the measurement of the depths, the tides and currents of a body of water and establishment of the sea, river or lake bed topography and morphology. Normally and historically for the purpose of charting a body of water for the safe navigation of shipping...
, antiquary, poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and lexicographer, the eldest of the Morris brothers of Anglesey.
Lewis Morris was the eldest son of Morris ap Rhisiart Morris, a farmer, of Llanfihangel-Tre'r-Beirdd in Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
.
His bardic name was Llewelyn Ddu o Fôn ("Black Llewelyn [Lewis] of Anglesey"). The correspondence between him and his younger brothers is a valuable historical source. In 1751, he founded the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion was founded in 1751 as a literary society devoted to the preservation of the Welsh language. It was founded by two brothers, Lewis Morris and Richard Morris, natives of Anglesey...
along with his brother Richard
Richard Morris (folklorist)
Richard Morris was a Welsh folklorist, a younger brother of Lewis Morris.Morris was born in Anglesey, one of four notable brothers whose surviving correspondence is a valuable record of the time. He went to work in London as a clerk and court interpreter. In 1757, he became Chief Clerk to the...
.
Career as a cartographer
Although there is no record of his having had any further education, Lewis Morris began his career as an estate-surveyor, and was employed by the Meyrick family of Bodorgan. He worked as a Customs official from 1729, and was later involved in the Cardiganshire mining industry. However, he is perhaps best known for his hydrographic surveys of the Welsh Coast.The idea for the survey probably arose while he was working as a Customs official in Holyhead, where he would have come into contact with many seafarers. At this time there were no accurate and up-to-date hydrographic charts of the Welsh coast and many ships and lives were lost as a result.
Morris put his idea for a survey to the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
, but they showed little interest and he was obliged to undertake the work at his own expense. The result of his efforts was the publication of Plans of harbours, bars, bays, and roads in St. George's-Channel in 1748.
While this work had a major impact on the safety of shipping around the Welsh coast at the time; Morris's contribution to British cartography was for many years eclipsed by his other achievements.
Later career
In his spare time, Morris began prospecting for lead, and during the 1750s he was in constant dispute with his employers and was prosecuted and lost his job as collector of tolls at AberdyfiAberdyfi
Aberdyfi , or Aberdovey is a village on the north side of the estuary of the River Dyfi in Gwynedd, on the west coast of Wales....
. He visited London several times in order to contest court cases relating to his industrial activities; whilst there, he assisted his brother Richard
Richard Morris (folklorist)
Richard Morris was a Welsh folklorist, a younger brother of Lewis Morris.Morris was born in Anglesey, one of four notable brothers whose surviving correspondence is a valuable record of the time. He went to work in London as a clerk and court interpreter. In 1757, he became Chief Clerk to the...
in setting up the Cymmrodorion Society. However, Lewis's long-term project, the publication of a dictionary, was never completed.
Works
- Plans of Harbours, Bays, and Roads in St. George's and the Bristol Channels (1748)
- Tlysau yr Hen Oesoedd (1753)
- Short History of the Manor of Creuthyn (1756)
- Celtic Remains (1757; not published until 1878)
External links
- National Library of Wales - The Digital Mirror - Maps - Lewis Morris
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry under "Morris, Lewis". http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/index.html?url=/index.jsp. Accessed February 27, 2010. Subscription required.