Welsh scholar and administrator. An influential Welsh layman, he came from a strong Methodist background, his father having been for many years Secretary of the Welsh Assembly. During the war he was a major in the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He then studied at the universities of Cambridge and Basel. After a period lecturing at Manchester University he was for 25 years Warden of Gregynog, the University of Wales' conference centre. He stood as Liberal candidate for Denbigh on three occasions and served on many public bodies. He was BBC National Governor for Wales and Chairman of the Broadcasting Council for Wales and the Welsh Broadcasting Trust. He was active in promoting the arts as a member of the Welsh Arts Council and Vice-President of the North Wales Arts Association and also as a prime mover in the revival of the private press at Gregynog. He published books and articles on German and Welsh literature. A local preacher, he was centrally involved in the life of Welsh Methodism. He wrote a study of William Williams, Pantycelyn and edited the autobiography of Thomas Olivers. His articles include important contributions on Olivers and John Bryan. 'Yr Hen Bant', a collection of his writings in Welsh about William Williams, Pantycelyn, was published in 2017 shortly after his death.

Entry written by: LM
Category: Person
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