John Ellis Williams
Encyclopedia
John Ellis Williams was a novelist and writer, writing in both English
and Welsh
.
, on 20 August 1924, and was from a farming family.
In World War II
he served with the Royal Air Force
.
After the war, his interest in the Existentialist movement led to him corresponding with Simone de Beauvoir
and visiting her in Paris. As well as his novels, Williams wrote both fiction and non-fiction for various journals. His autobiography, "Clouds of Times and other stories", was published in 1989. He was lead consultant for a film about his uncle, Ellis Williams, which was broadcast on S4C
in 2006. Williams was elected an Ovate (green robe) of the National Eisteddfod of Wales
in Cardiff
on 8 August 2008 for his substantial contribution to the field of literature in Wales.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
.
Life
Williams was born in Llanddeiniolen, CaernarfonshireCaernarfonshire
Caernarfonshire , historically spelled as Caernarvonshire or Carnarvonshire in English during its existence, was one of the thirteen historic counties, a vice-county and a former administrative county of Wales....
, on 20 August 1924, and was from a farming family.
In World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served with the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
.
After the war, his interest in the Existentialist movement led to him corresponding with Simone de Beauvoir
Simone de Beauvoir
Simone-Ernestine-Lucie-Marie Bertrand de Beauvoir, often shortened to Simone de Beauvoir , was a French existentialist philosopher, public intellectual, and social theorist. She wrote novels, essays, biographies, an autobiography in several volumes, and monographs on philosophy, politics, and...
and visiting her in Paris. As well as his novels, Williams wrote both fiction and non-fiction for various journals. His autobiography, "Clouds of Times and other stories", was published in 1989. He was lead consultant for a film about his uncle, Ellis Williams, which was broadcast on S4C
S4C
S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Welsh television channel broadcast from the capital, Cardiff. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, it is the fifth oldest British television channel .The channel - initially broadcast on...
in 2006. Williams was elected an Ovate (green robe) 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 :...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
on 8 August 2008 for his substantial contribution to the field of literature in Wales.
Novels
- Bryndu Mawr (Glasgoed Eisteddfod Chair, 1959) (later serialised in Herald Cymraeg, 1959)
- Hadau Gwyllt (Gwasg GeeGwasg GeeGwasg Gee was a publishing firm founded by a printer, Thomas Gee, in 1808 and taken over by his son, a more famous Thomas Gee, during the 1830s and based in Denbigh, Wales...
, 1968) - Modd i Fyw (Cyngor Llyfrau CymruWelsh Books CouncilThe Welsh Books Council or Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru was established in 1961 under the name of Cyngor Llyfrau Cymraeg . Today it is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. The Council's aims are to promote the interest in Welsh language books and English language books of interest to Wales...
, 1968) - Yr Ynys Wydr (Cyhoeddiadau Modern, 1969)
- Gwynt i Oen (Gwasg Gwynedd. 1970)
- Paul Jones a’r Tywysog (Gwasg Gee, 1975)
- Wrth Ddychwel (Cyhoeddiadau Mei, 1982)
- Nes Adref (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 1996)
Other fictional / factional works
- Straeon Cyfar Main (Cyhoeddiadau Mei, 1985) Dramatised on BBC Radio Cymru
- Dychweliad y Deryn Mawr (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 1990)
- Rare Welsh Bits (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2001)
Children’s stories
- Elwd y Teiliwr Bach (Gwasg Gee, 1966)
- Owen the Goat of Snowdon (PeniPrint, 1981)
- Chwedlau Siôn ac Eleri (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 1992)
Biography/Autobiography
- Clouds of Time and Other Stories (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 1989) (Initially serialised in Welsh in Pais magazine and in English on BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
, BBC Radio WalesBBC Radio WalesBBC Radio Wales is the BBC's national radio station broadcasting to Wales in the English language. Operated by BBC Wales, it began broadcasting on 12 November 1978 following the demise of the old "Radio 4 Wales" when BBC Radio 4 became a national network and moved from medium wave to long wave...
and in The Countryman). "Clouds of Time" itself, first published in Welsh as "Cymylau Amser", is the life story of Williams's mother, Jane Rowland Jones, and how both she and her future husband sheltered a deserter from the trenches during World War IWorld War IWorld 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...
.