THOMAS, DAVID (d. 1735), poet.
Edward Evan (q.v.) says that he was a native of Cardiganshire, and that he came to Glamorgan in 1727 when, according to Iolo Morganwg, he was between 12 and 15 years of age. He settled in Betws Tir Iarll, where he became a member of Rees Price (see under Price, Richard) of Tyn-ton's congregation. About 1730 he began to write poetry under the guidance of John Bradford (q.v.), and in 1734 Bradford mentions him as one of the ‘grammarians’ of Glamorgan. But before that date he had married (unfortunately, says Edward Evan) and moved to the parish of Ystrad Dyfodwg, where he set up house in Pandy'r Ystrad; there he d. in 1735. Some of his englynion are included in Lewis Hopkin's (q.v.) book, Y Fêl Gafod. He also left a translation in the cywydd form of the first chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes which led to the translation, in 1767, of the entire book by Lewis Hopkin and Edward Evan (Llyfryddiaeth y Cymry, 497).
Bibliography:
- G. J. Williams, Tradd. Llen. Morgannwg — more particularly 228, 244-5. 279, but see also the introduction.
Author:
Emeritus Professor Robert Thomas Jenkins, C.B.E., D.Litt., Ll.D., F.S.A., (1881-1969), Bangor.
