William Ambrose (Emrys)

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Not to be confused with
William Ambrose Bebb
.

William Ambrose

William Ambrose (1 August 1813 – 31 October 1873), whose bardic name was Emrys, was a 19th-century Welsh-language poet and preacher.[1] Many sermons of his were published and some of his poems used as hymns.

Ordination

Ambrose was born at a

Bangor inn, the Penrhyn Arms,[2] in Caernarfonshire (now in Gwynedd), north Wales. His father, John, was a leading member of the local Baptist community, and his mother, Elizabeth, a founder member of Bethel Chapel in Bangor. They remained at the Penrhyn Arms for ten years up to 1823. John Ambrose was also tenant of the local shop.[3] William's cousin was the composer John Ambrose Lloyd. William Ambrose was taught at Holyhead by the Rev. W. Griffiths.[4]

After school, Ambrose was apprenticed to a draper in Liverpool, where he became a member of the Tabernacle Congregational Church, at which his cousin John became precentor.[5] He later moved to London.[6]

However, having gone on a preaching tour led by William Williams (Caledfryn), Ambrose decided against setting up in business in Liverpool and instead become a minister. He was ordained on 7 December 1837. He remained minister of the Independent chapel at Porthmadog until his death, aged 60.[7]

Ambrose memorial chapel, Porthmadog, c.1875

Writing

Emrys edited the periodical Y Dysgedydd from 1853 to 1873 and narrowly missed the bardic chair at the Aberffraw Eisteddfod of 1849, with his "Awdl ar y greadigaeth".[8]

Ambrose is not regarded as an outstanding poet, but many of his sermons were published[9] and he was a popular preacher.[4] Some poems, such as "Ar y Lan Arall" ("On the Other Shore"), became hymns.[10]

Legacy

Works

  • Atgofion fy Ngweinidogaith (1876)[12]
  • Gweithiau y Parch (1975)

References

  1. ISBN 9780788437717
    .
  2. ^ The Cambrian: A Magazine for the Welsh in America. D. I. Jones. 1887. p. 252.
  3. ^ Transactions. 1949. p. 40.
  4. ^ a b Thomas Mardy Rees (1908). Notable Welshmen (1700-1900):... with Brief Notes, in Chronological Order, and Authorities. Also a Complete Alphabetical Index. Herald Office. p. 326.
  5. ISBN 978-0-7201-2330-2
    .
  6. ^ Richard Griffith Owen. "Ambrose, William (Emrys; 1813-1873), Independent minister, poet, and littérateur". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  7. ISBN 978-0-7734-9710-8
    .
  8. ISBN 9780788437717
    .
  9. ISBN 978-0-7083-1383-1
    .
  10. ISBN 978-0-7083-1388-6
    .
  11. ^ Marwnad i'r Parchedig William Ambrose ('Emrys'). 1875.
  12. ISBN 9780674104808
    .
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