Welsh-speaking Methodist minister, born at Ruabon, Denbighshire. He was educated at John Bright Grammar School, Lllandudno, the University College of North Wales, Bangor and Handsworth College. His ministry has been in Welsh-speaking circuits in North Wales and especially in the Dyffryn Conwy Circuit, where he was Superintendent from 1982 to 2002. He has served on the connexional Social Responsibility and Methodist Relief Fund Committees and was connexional Sunday School Secretary for Wales.
Throughout his life he has been a committed member of the Liberal and then the Liberal Democrat Party. He stood as a candidate in five parliamentary elections and has been President of the party in Wales. He has been an active campaigner on overseas relief work and the care of young people. He was made a Life Peer in 2004, the first Welsh-speaking minister (and possibly the first Welsh-speaking Nonconformist minister) to sit in the House of Lords. He planned to use his peerage as an opportunity to further his humanitarian concern, especially among children and young people overseas.