John Dyfnallt Owen
Encyclopedia
Rev. John Dyfnallt Owen (April 7, 1873
– December 28, 1956
), was a Welsh
poet, and served as Archdruid
of the National Eisteddfod of Wales
from 1954 until his death. He was often known simply by his bardic name
, "Dyfnallt".
Owen was born in Llangiwg, Glamorgan, and was brought up by his grandparents because of the death of his mother when he was an infant. He worked for a short period as a coal miner, then obtained an education at Parcyfelfed Academy and Bala Bangor College. Having been ordained as a Congregational
minister, he took over Sardis Chapel at Pontypridd
in 1905. Like all Archdruids, he was a winner of a major poetry prize at the National Eisteddfod, in his case the crown at the 1907 Eisteddfod in Swansea
. During World War I
, he served as a chaplain in France. In 1927, he became editor of the Welsh-language journal Y Tyst.
1873 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1873 to Wales and its people.-Incumbents:*Prince of Wales — The Prince Albert Edward, son of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom*Princess of Wales — Alexandra of Denmark-Events:...
– December 28, 1956
1956 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1956 to Wales and its people.-Incumbents:*Prince of Wales – vacant*Princess of Wales - vacant*Archbishop of Wales - John Morgan*Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales - Dyfnallt...
), was a Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
poet, and served as Archdruid
Archdruid
The Archdruid is the title used by the presiding official of the Gorsedd.The Archdruid presides over the most important ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod of Wales including the Crowning of the Bard, The Award of the Prose Medal and Chairing of the Bard. From 1932 only former winners of the...
of the National Eisteddfod of Wales
National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales.- Organisation :...
from 1954 until his death. He was often known simply by his bardic name
Bardic name
A bardic name is a pseudonym, used in Wales, Cornwall and Brittany, by poets and other artists, especially those involved in the eisteddfod movement....
, "Dyfnallt".
Owen was born in Llangiwg, Glamorgan, and was brought up by his grandparents because of the death of his mother when he was an infant. He worked for a short period as a coal miner, then obtained an education at Parcyfelfed Academy and Bala Bangor College. Having been ordained as a Congregational
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
minister, he took over Sardis Chapel at Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
in 1905. Like all Archdruids, he was a winner of a major poetry prize at the National Eisteddfod, in his case the crown at the 1907 Eisteddfod in Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he served as a chaplain in France. In 1927, he became editor of the Welsh-language journal Y Tyst.
Works
- Rhamant a Rhyddid (1952)