LEWIS, JOHN (Eos Glyn Wyre ; 1836-1892), poet and musician;
b. 6 April 1836, the son of Lewis and Margaret Lewis, Hen Dŷ Mawr, Llanrhystud, Cards. The father, who was a good musician, was by trade a tailor and brought up his sons, John Lewis and David Lewis (1828-1908) (q.v.), to the same trade; a third son, Evan Lewis, was a shoemaker. John Lewis m. Jane Davies, Felinganol, and on marriage went to reside at his wife's home; seven children were born to them. He composed some hymn-tunes and part-songs; one hymn tune, ‘Adgyfodiad,’ appeared in 1896 in the collection of William Harries, Heolyfelin, whilst the words and music of a part-song were published in Golud yr Oes. But he was better-known as a poet, his compositions including pryddestau, lyrics, and englynion, many of which took prizes at eisteddfodau. He d. 2 Nov. 1892 and was buried in Llanrhystud churchyard. His manuscripts and those of his brother, David Lewis, together with a large number of printed volumes, were transferred by his sons to the National Library in 1929.
Bibliography:
- N.L.W. MSS. 8177-8277, but particularly 8189, 8191-3, 8200, 8202, 8225, 8239, 8252, 8254, 8261, 8264, 8272-7.
Author:
Rev. David Wyre Lewis, (1872-1966), Penycae, Wrexham
