EDWARDS, GRIFFITH (Gutyn Padarn ; 1812-1893), cleric, poet and antiquary;
b. at Llanberis 1 Sept. 1812, son of William Edwards (Gwilym Padarn, 1786-1857, q.v.). Having had only an elementary education, he was taught the classical languages by Peter Bailey Williams (q.v.), rector of Llan-rug. He graduated at Trinity College, Dublin, in 1843, and took his M.A. degree in 1846. Upon graduation he was ordained and appointed curate of Llangollen. Thence he moved in 1846 to be perpetual curate of Minera, Denbs., and in 1863 to be rector of Llangadfan, Mont., where he remained till his death. He was a competitor for the chief bardic prizes at the eisteddfodau held at Beaumaris (1832) and Liverpool (1840), and a collection of his poetry, entitled Gwaith Prydyddawl, appeared in 1846. His literary works comprised poetry in Welsh and English and numerous articles in periodicals. A volume of sermons by him, Deg-ar-hugain o Bregethau, was published in 1854. He was the editor of the collected works of John Blackwell (q.v.), Ceinion Alun, 1851, and wrote a history of the parishes of Llangadfan, Garthbeibio, and Llanerfyl. He d. 29 Jan. 1893.
Bibliography:
- The Works of the Rev. Griffith Edwards (ed. Elias Owen, 1895);
- Gen., xi (Gŵyl Dewi), 68, xii (Gŵyl Dewi), 1.
Author:
Principal / Sir Thomas Parry, D.Litt., (1904-85), Bangor / Aberystwyth
