John James Williams (poet) facts for kids
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John James Williams (born October 8, 1869 – died May 6, 1954) was a famous Welsh poet. People often called him "J.J." This was his bardic name, a special name used by poets in Wales. He also held a very important role as the Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales, which is a big festival of Welsh culture. He was the Archdruid from 1936 to 1939.
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Early Life in Wales
John James Williams was born in a place called Taigwynion, close to Tal-y-bont in Cardiganshire, Wales. He was the oldest of twelve children. His parents were William and Elizabeth Williams.
In those days, it was common for parents to go to different churches. His mother went to Pen-y-Garn, a Calvinistic Methodist church. His father attended Bethel Independent church.
John's father worked as a lead miner. When there wasn't much work nearby, he went to Mountain Ash to work in coal mines. In 1882, John's whole family moved to Penrhiwceibr. They joined a church called Carmel.
Soon after, they moved to Ynysybwl and joined Tabernacle church. John started preaching there while he was still working as a miner.
Education and Learning
John James Williams went to Pwllglas Sunday School and Rhydypennau School when he was young. But he left school early. Even while working in the mines, he wanted to learn more.
He was accepted to study to become a minister. He went to Pontypridd Academy, which was run by E. Dunmore Edwards. In 1891, he became a student at the Memorial College, Brecon.
For his first few years, he studied at University College, Cardiff. He was very good at studying the Welsh language and its literature.
Becoming a Minister
John James Williams officially became a minister at Bethania, Abercynon on July 22, 1895. In 1897, he moved to serve at Moriah church in Rhymney.
After six years in Rhymney, he moved again. This time, he went to Seilo church in Pentre, Rhondda. He took over from another minister named Lewis Probert.
Serving at Tabernacle, Morriston
From 1915 to 1944, John James Williams was the minister at Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston. He was known as one of the most popular preachers of his time. In 1935, he was chosen to be the chairman of the Union of Welsh Independents. This was a big honor for him.
A Talented Writer
Even when he was a miner in Ynysybwl, John James Williams started to become known as a poet. In 1889, he first gained public attention at an eisteddfod (a Welsh festival of music and poetry) in Jerusalem, Ynysybwl.
Winning the Bardic Chair
In the early 1900s, he started competing at the National Eisteddfod. This is the most important cultural festival in Wales. He won the "bardic chair" twice. This is a very special prize for poets.
His first win was in Caernarfon in 1906. He won for a poem called Y Lloer (The Moon). This poem was loved for its smooth and musical rhythm. Two years later, he won again in Llangollen. This time, his poem was a tribute to a famous Welsh poet named John Ceiriog Hughes.
His collected poems were published in 1936 in a book called Y Lloer a cherddi eraill.
Other Writings
Besides poems, John James Williams also wrote several plays. He also wrote a collection of short stories called Straeon y Gilfach Ddu, which came out in 1931. These stories were written in the local Glamorgan dialect. They showed what life was like in the mining communities.
He wrote many hymns, which are songs of praise. He also helped edit a standard Welsh hymn book called Caniedydd Cynulleidfaol Newydd. This book was used by Independent and Calvinistic Methodist churches and was published in 1921.
In 1918, he edited Cerddi'r Bugail. This was a collection of poems by Hedd Wyn, a poet who sadly died in France in 1917 during a war. In 1930, the University of Wales gave him an honorary Master of Arts degree. This was to recognize all his amazing writing work.
Family Life
In 1899, John James Williams married Claudia Bevan from Mountain Ash. Sadly, she died during childbirth, and their son passed away before he was two years old.
In 1903, he married Abigail Jenkins from Pontlotyn. She died on June 24, 1936. John James Williams himself passed away on May 6, 1954.
