Pennar Davies
Encyclopedia
William Thomas Pennar Davies (12 November 1911
- 29 December 1996
) was a Welsh
clergyman and author.
Born simply William Thomas Davies, in Mountain Ash
(Welsh
, "Aberpennar"), the son of a miner, he took the name "Pennar" "as a sign of his identification with the native culture of Wales". Pennar Davies studied at University of Wales, Cardiff, at Balliol
and Mansfield College, Oxford
, and at Yale University
. In 1943 he became a Congregational minister in Cardiff
. He subsequently taught at Bala-Bangor Theological College, and became Principal of Swansea Memorial College in 1952, retaining the post until his retirement in 1981.
A member of Plaid Cymru
, Davies stood as a Parliamentary candidate at Llanelli
in the UK general elections of 1964
and the 1966
. He was a leading campaigner for Welsh language
broadcasting.
Pennar Davies and his wife Rosemarie had five children. His eldest son Dr Meirion Pennar
, became a leading Welsh language academic, poet and translator.
1911 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1911 to Wales and its people.-Incumbents:*Prince of Wales - Edward, Prince of Wales, son of King King George V*Princess of Wales - vacant...
- 29 December 1996
1996 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1996 to Wales and its people.-Incumbents:*Prince of Wales – The Prince Charles*Princess of Wales – Diana *Secretary of State for Wales - William Hague...
) 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...
clergyman and author.
Born simply William Thomas Davies, in Mountain Ash
Mountain Ash, Wales
Mountain Ash is a town and community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, deep in the South Wales Valleys of Wales. Mountain Ash is situated in the Cynon Valley and has a population of 7,039...
(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...
, "Aberpennar"), the son of a miner, he took the name "Pennar" "as a sign of his identification with the native culture of Wales". Pennar Davies studied at University of Wales, Cardiff, at Balliol
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
and Mansfield College, Oxford
Mansfield College, Oxford
Mansfield College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Of the colleges that accept both undergraduate and graduate students Mansfield College is one of the smallest, comprising approximately 210 undergraduates, 130 graduates, 35 visiting students and 50...
, and at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. In 1943 he became a Congregational minister 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...
. He subsequently taught at Bala-Bangor Theological College, and became Principal of Swansea Memorial College in 1952, retaining the post until his retirement in 1981.
A member of Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru
' is a political party in Wales. It advocates the establishment of an independent Welsh state within the European Union. was formed in 1925 and won its first seat in 1966...
, Davies stood as a Parliamentary candidate at Llanelli
Llanelli (UK Parliament constituency)
Llanelli is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. From 1918 to 1970 the official spelling of the constituency name was Llanelly...
in the UK general elections of 1964
United Kingdom general election, 1964
The United Kingdom general election of 1964 was held on 15 October 1964, more than five years after the preceding election, and thirteen years after the Conservative Party had retaken power...
and the 1966
United Kingdom general election, 1966
The 1966 United Kingdom general election on 31 March 1966 was called by sitting Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Wilson's decision to call an election turned on the fact that his government, elected a mere 17 months previously in 1964 had an unworkably small majority of only 4 MPs...
. He was a leading campaigner for Welsh language
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...
broadcasting.
Pennar Davies and his wife Rosemarie had five children. His eldest son Dr Meirion Pennar
Meirion Pennar
Dr Meirion Pennar was a Welsh poet and academic, who translated two works of Welsh language literature.-Early life:Born in Cardiff, he was the eldest of five children born to theologian and writer, Dr Pennar Davies...
, became a leading Welsh language academic, poet and translator.
Poetry
- Cinio'r Cythraul (1946)
- Naw Wfft (1957)
- Yr Efrydd o Lyn Cynon (1961)
- Y Tlws yn y Lotws (1971)