D. Gwenallt Jones

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David James Jones (18 May 1899 – 24 December 1968), commonly known by his bardic name Gwenallt, was a Welsh poet, critic, and scholar, and one of the most important figures of 20th-century Welsh-language literature.[1] He created his bardic name by transposing Alltwen, the name of the village across the river from his birthplace.

Early life

Jones was born in

Dartmoor Prison until 1919, which he wrote about in his 1934 novel Plasau'r Brenin('The King's Mansions'). In 1919 he enrolled at University College Wales, Aberystwyth, where he met the writer Idwal Jones
, whose biography he had published in 1958.

Jones' father was killed by molten metal in Pontardawe Tinplate Works, which had a deep effect on him.[2] His childhood was spent in an industrial area. However in his youth he often stayed with his relatives in Rhydcymerau, which had a deep influence on him.

Later life and career

In 1926 the poem, Y Mynach, won Jones the

Welsh Academy (Academi Gymraeg). And he was the first editor of the literary magazine Taliesin, which he edited from 1961 to 1965. On graduating from Aberystwyth with a BA in Welsh and English, he became a teacher of Welsh in the grammar school of Barry, Glamorgan. Later, in 1927, he was appointed as a lecturer in the Welsh language department of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, the former name of Aberystwyth University[3] He applied for the post of professor of the department upon the retirement of T. H. Parry-Williams. However, he was overlooked in favour of a much younger applicant, for which he never forgave the College.[4]

Jones graduated as MA in 1929 and was awarded an honorary D.Litt. degree by the University of Wales in 1967.

Jones regularly attended chapel in his youth. But he later embraced Marxism. Subsequently he became a Welsh nationalist and a Christian poet.[5] He was an early member of Plaid Cymru. Christian themes are present in much of his work, not least in Y Coed, which was published following his visit to the Holy Land.

Jones is buried in Aberystwyth. In 1997 a memorial plaque was placed on his house, Rhydymôr, Ffordd Rheidol, Penparcau, a village near Aberystwyth.

Works

Novels

  • Jones, D.G. (1934). Plasau'r Brenin. Llandysul: Gwasg Gomer.
  • Gwenallt (1982). Ffwrneisiau. Llandysul, Dyfed: Gomer Press.
    ISBN 0850885884
    .

Other

Critical studies

  • Allchin, Donald and D. Densil Morgan. 2000. Sensuous Glory The Poetic Vision of D. Gwenallt Jones. Norwich: Canterbury Press.
  • Edwards, Hywel Teifi. 2006. Making the most of Gwenallt. Cambria. 3. 49.
  • Hodges, H.A. 1975. Gwenallt: an English view of the poet. Planet. 29. 24-29.
  • Johnston, Dafydd. 1994. A guide to the literature of Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. Pages 99–101.
  • Jones, Gwyn and John Rowlands. 1980. Profiles: A Guide to Writing in Twentieth Century Wales. Llandysul: Gomer. Pages 70–75.
  • Stephens, Meic. 1972. The New Companion to the Literature of Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. Pages 371-373.

References

  1. ^ Brynley Francis Roberts (2001). "Jones, David James ('Gwenallt'; 1899-1968), poet, critic and scholar". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  2. ISBN 0 9508448 2 9
    . Retrieved 17 April 2024.)
  3. ^ "Ceredigion County Council-Jones, David James (1899-1968) 'Gwenallt'". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2008..
  4. ^ New biography of Gwenallt by Professor Alan Llwyd launched
  5. ^ Pymtheg o Wŷr Llên yr Ugeinfed Ganrif. ("15 men of 20th century literature") D.Ben Rees. Cyhoeddiadau Modern Cymru 1972

External links

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