Hugh Maurice facts for kids

Hugh Maurice (born in 1775, died March 18, 1825) was a very important person who helped save old Welsh writings. He was like a human copying machine, carefully writing down ancient Welsh books and poems so they wouldn't be lost forever.

His Early Life and Family

Hugh Maurice was born in a place called Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr in Wales. His parents were Peter and Jane Maurice. His mother, Jane, was the sister of a famous person named Owen Jones, who studied old things. Hugh was christened on June 5, 1775.

In 1800, Hugh Maurice married Elizabeth Mary Louisa in London. Their wedding happened on the same day as a big dinner for a group called the Gwyneddigion Society. This society was interested in Welsh culture and history. Hugh was a leader in the group at the time, and some of his friends from the society even came to his wedding!

Hugh's Children

Hugh and Elizabeth Maurice had three children: two sons and one daughter.

• Their first son, Rowland, also became a translator. He translated an old book by Nennius in 1817.
• Their second son, Peter, was born in 1803. He went to Jesus College, Oxford and later became a priest. He worked at different colleges in Oxford and was also a vicar in a village called Yarnton. Peter also wrote hymns (church songs) and other church music.
• Their daughter, Jane, was born in 1812. She wrote twenty hymns that can be found in a book called Choral Hymn Book, published in 1861.

Hugh Maurice lived in many different places during his life, starting in Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. He also lived in London, Greenwich, and several places in Wales like Pengwern, Tremadoc, and Plâs Gwyn in Llanrug. He passed away in 1825 and was buried back in Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr.

His Work as a Transcriber

When Hugh Maurice was in London, he worked as a skinner, which means he worked with animal skins. He worked with his uncle, Owen Jones, and they both loved books and writing. Owen Jones taught Hugh how to copy old Welsh writings, both poems and stories. Hugh became a very important member of the Gwyneddigion Society because of this skill.

Hugh even started his own skinning business, but he continued copying manuscripts as a hobby. His early copies sometimes included beautiful drawings and fancy handwriting. Many of the old writings he copied can now be found in important collections, like the "Bardoniaeth" Manuscripts in the British Library.

Hugh Maurice also helped with a very important collection of old Welsh writings called The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales. This huge project was published between 1801 and 1807, and Hugh's help is mentioned in the book's introduction.