Emyr Humphreys facts for kids

Emyr Humphreys was a famous Welsh novelist, poet, and author. He wrote many books and poems in both English and Welsh. His writing career lasted a very long time, from the 1940s until he retired in 2009. He was born on April 15, 1919, and passed away on September 30, 2020, at the age of 101.

Emyr Humphreys' Early Life and Education

Emyr Humphreys was born in Prestatyn, Wales, on April 15, 1919. He went to Rhyl High School. While he was there, he started writing poetry. He also wrote for a newspaper called The Welsh Nationalist. This newspaper later became known as Plaid Cymru.

After high school, Emyr won a scholarship. This allowed him to study history and English at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. However, he could not finish his studies. This was because the Second World War began.

What Did Emyr Humphreys Do During the War?

During the war, Emyr Humphreys chose not to fight. He was a conscientious objector. This meant he believed it was wrong to take part in war. Instead, he worked on a farm to help out.

After the war, he did relief work. This involved helping people in countries like Egypt and Italy. He also learned to speak Italian while he was there.

Emyr Humphreys' Career After the War

After the war, Emyr Humphreys had several jobs. He worked as a teacher. He also became a radio producer at the BBC. Later, he taught drama at Bangor University. He was very good at languages. He became fluent in Welsh while at university.

Emyr Humphreys' Writings and Major Themes

Emyr Humphreys wrote many stories. Some of his stories were based on old Welsh myths. One important myth he used was about a character named Blodeuwedd. This myth appeared in his writings throughout his career.

A main idea in his books was Welsh identity. He explored what it meant to be Welsh. For example, his book The Little Kingdom (1946) was written in English. But the main characters in the story speak Welsh.

What Are Emyr Humphreys' Most Famous Books?

One of Emyr Humphreys' most well-known novels is A Toy Epic (1958). This book tells the story of three boys growing up. It is also an important war novel. But it also shows Wales itself growing and changing.

In another book, Outside the House of Baal (1965), he wrote from a different point of view. This story was told from the perspective of an older person.

His biggest work was The Land of the Living. This was a long series of seven novels. It was published between 1974 and 2001. These books told the story of Wales's political and cultural history during the 1900s. Emyr Humphreys said he wanted to tell a story "from cradle to the grave."

Other Works by Emyr Humphreys

Emyr Humphreys had a very long writing career. He wrote in both English and Welsh. He published more than twenty novels. He also wrote plays for the stage and for television. He wrote short stories too.

In 1999, he published his Collected Poems. He also wrote a book about Welsh culture called The Taliesin Tradition. His last book was The Woman at the Window (2009). In this book, one character says, "My useful life is over."

Emyr Humphreys' Papers and Correspondence

Emyr Humphreys' personal papers are kept at the National Library of Wales. These papers include letters he exchanged with other famous writers and public figures. Some of these people were Dannie Abse, T. S. Eliot, and R. S. Thomas.

Awards and Recognitions for Emyr Humphreys

Emyr Humphreys received many awards for his writing.

• In 1953, he won the Somerset Maugham Award for his book Hear and Forgive. This award came with money that had to be used for travel.
• He won the Wales Book of the Year Award twice, in 1992 and 1999.
• He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. This is a special honor for writers.
• He was also a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.

Emyr Humphreys' Family Life

Emyr Humphreys married Elinor Myfanwy Jones in 1946. They had four children together. After he won the Somerset Maugham Award, they used the prize money to travel to Austria.

Emyr Humphreys retired from writing in 2009. He was 90 years old when his last book came out. He lived to be very old, celebrating his 100th birthday on April 15, 2019. He passed away on September 30, 2020, at his home in Llanfairpwll, Wales. He was 101 years old.

See also

In Spanish: Emyr Humphreys para niños