LANGFORD, JOHN (1640?-1715/6?);
b. at Ruthin (see the preceding article). He was admitted to Christ Church, Oxford, 23 July 1656; B.A. 1659-60, M.A. from Jesus College, Cambridge 1669. He was appointed rector of Efenechtyd, Denbs., 1 April 1663, rector of Derwen, Denbs., 20 May 1672, and rector of Llanelidan, Denbs., 19 June 1684. He published a translation of The Whole Duty of Man under the title, Holl Ddled-swydd Dyn, Gwedi ei osod ar lawr mewn ffordd hynod ac eglur, defnyddiol i bawb, and yn enwedig i'r darllenydd mwyaf annyscedig … A gyfiaithwyd yn Gymro-aeg gan Jo. Langford A.M. … 1672; on page 412 will be found the words: Dwywolder neillduol ar amryw achosion yn gystal cyfredinol ac angyffredinol …. 1671. There was a 2nd imp. in 1711. The book was also translated by Edward Samuel (q.v.) in 1718 and this was one of the most popular S.P.C.K. translations in Wales. The original English version was published in 1658 and it is generally believed that Dr. Richard Allestree was the author. Extracts used occasionally to be read as sermons in the churches.
Bibliography:
- Foster, Alumni Oxon.;
- A. Ivor Pryce, Dioc. Bangor During Three Cents.;
- ‘Hanes y S.P.C.K. yn sir Gaerfyrddin o 1700 hyd 1730’ by Mary Clement (M.A. dissertation).
Author:
David Gwenallt Jones, M.A., (1899-1968), Aberystwyth
