BENNETT, NICHOLAS (1823-1899), musician and historian;
b. [8 May] at Glanrafon, Trefeglwys, Mont. (christened 8 June 1823). He took a deep interest in collecting and studying historical, poetical, and musical works; composed two songs — one for Y Cerddor and the other for Songs of the Four Nations; and collected over 700 Welsh airs, of which 500 were published in two volumes in 1896 under the title Alawon fy Ngwlad, the selection and arrangement being in the hands of D. Emlyn Evans (q.v.); this work contains portraits and biographies of harpists and singers to the harp, together with explanatory notes on the art of singing to the accompaniment of the harp. Further, he left in manuscript a treatise on the heraldry of the princes of Wales together with illustrations. Some letters received by him are preserved in N.L.W. MS. 584; see also N.L.W. MS. 588. He d. 18 Aug. 1899 and was buried at Llanfihangel Trefeglwys.
Bibliography:
- Bye–Gones, 1899;
- Y Cerddor, Oct. 1899;
- Gen., 1900;
- Ceitho;
- Blackwell;
- Cardiff Catalogue;
- [T. Morgan Enw. Cym.]
Author:
Robert David Griffith, M.A., (1877-1958), Old Colwyn
