William Thomas (Islwyn)
Encyclopedia
William Thomas, bardic name
Islwyn (3 April 1832 – 20 November 1878), was a Welsh language
poet
, born near Ynysddu
, then in the old county of Monmouthshire
, south-east Wales
.
Both Islwyn's elder brothers were engineers, and he was intended for the same profession training initial as a mining surveyor. However, he showed an aptitude for the ministry
, and was sent to an academy run by Dr Evan Davies
at Swansea
. He was at one time tutored by a namesake, the poet William Thomas (Gwilym Marles)
.
He became engaged to a local girl, Ann Bowen. Her death in 1853, at the age of twenty, became a source of poetic inspiration to him, and he was a regular winner of local Eisteddfod prizes from the 1850s onwards, taking his bardic name from the mountain Mynyddislwyn
, above his home.
His two best-known poems are both entitled "Yr Ystorm" ("The Storm"), a long philosophic poem over 9,000 lines long. His poems are noted for their confident expressions of Christian faith, expectation of reunion in heaven, fulfilment of Christian duty and completion of a life fulfilled in God's work. He began preaching in 1854, and was ordained a Calvinistic Methodist minister in 1859 but never took charge of a church.
In 1864 he married Martha, Ann Bowen's stepsister. He edited several periodicals, and the Welsh column of the Cardiff Times. His poetry, although not always greatly regarded in his own lifetime found favour after his death and is now thought to be amongst the finest of the nineteenth century.
He also wrote twenty-nine poems in English.
He died from bronchitis
in Ynysddu
in 1878. He is buried in Babel Chapel, located in Cwmfelinfach
.
Bardic name
A bardic name is a pseudonym, used in Wales, Cornwall and Brittany, by poets and other artists, especially those involved in the eisteddfod movement....
Islwyn (3 April 1832 – 20 November 1878), was a Welsh language
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
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...
, born near Ynysddu
Ynysddu
Ynysddu is a small village in the Sirhowy valley of south-east Wales. It is part of the district of Caerphilly within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. It is next to Cwmfelinfach, 4.3 miles north of the town of Risca and 4 miles south of the market town of Blackwood, about 10 minutes by...
, then in the old county of Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire (historic)
Monmouthshire , also known as the County of Monmouth , is one of thirteen ancient counties of Wales and a former administrative county....
, south-east Wales
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...
.
Early life
Born to an English-speaking family, he learnt Welsh from his uncle.Both Islwyn's elder brothers were engineers, and he was intended for the same profession training initial as a mining surveyor. However, he showed an aptitude for the ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
, and was sent to an academy run by Dr Evan Davies
Evan Davies
Evan Davies may refer to:*Evan Davies , Welsh Protestant Christian missionary*Evan "Funk" Davies , American musician and DJ*Mervyn Davies, Baron Davies of Abersoch , Chairman of Standard Chartered PLC...
at Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
. He was at one time tutored by a namesake, the poet William Thomas (Gwilym Marles)
William Thomas (Gwilym Marles)
William Thomas , better known by his bardic name of Gwilym Marles, was a Welsh minister and poet, and the great-uncle of Dylan Thomas. Dylan was given his middle name, "Marlais", in honour of William Thomas, who is also believed to have inspired the character of Rev...
.
He became engaged to a local girl, Ann Bowen. Her death in 1853, at the age of twenty, became a source of poetic inspiration to him, and he was a regular winner of local Eisteddfod prizes from the 1850s onwards, taking his bardic name from the mountain Mynyddislwyn
Mynyddislwyn
Mynyddislwyn was a civil parish and urban district in Monmouthshire, south east Wales. It was abolished in local government reorganisation in 1974.The ancient parish of Mynyddislwyn covered a large part of the lower Ebbw and Sirhowy Valleys...
, above his home.
His two best-known poems are both entitled "Yr Ystorm" ("The Storm"), a long philosophic poem over 9,000 lines long. His poems are noted for their confident expressions of Christian faith, expectation of reunion in heaven, fulfilment of Christian duty and completion of a life fulfilled in God's work. He began preaching in 1854, and was ordained a Calvinistic Methodist minister in 1859 but never took charge of a church.
In 1864 he married Martha, Ann Bowen's stepsister. He edited several periodicals, and the Welsh column of the Cardiff Times. His poetry, although not always greatly regarded in his own lifetime found favour after his death and is now thought to be amongst the finest of the nineteenth century.
He also wrote twenty-nine poems in English.
He died from bronchitis
Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi in the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks. Characteristic symptoms include cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath and wheezing related to the obstruction of the inflamed airways...
in Ynysddu
Ynysddu
Ynysddu is a small village in the Sirhowy valley of south-east Wales. It is part of the district of Caerphilly within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. It is next to Cwmfelinfach, 4.3 miles north of the town of Risca and 4 miles south of the market town of Blackwood, about 10 minutes by...
in 1878. He is buried in Babel Chapel, located in Cwmfelinfach
Cwmfelinfach
Cwmfelinfach is a small village located in the Sirhowy valley of south-east Wales. It is part of the district of Caerphilly within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. Located north of Wattsville and about 5 miles north of the nearest town Risca and south of Blackwood.Cwmfelinfach was home to...
.
External links
- Islwyn Info and examples of his work
- Gwent County History Association on Islwyn
- http://yba.llgc.org.uk/en/s-THOM-WIL-1832.htmlIslwyn on National Library of Wales Dictionary of Welsh BiographyDictionary of Welsh BiographyThe Dictionary of Welsh Biography is a dictionary of biographies of Welsh men and women who have made a unique contribution to Welsh life over seventeen centuries...
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