T. Llew Jones facts for kids

Chairing ceremony of the National Eisteddfod, Ebbw Vale, 1958, won by T. Llew Jones, also includes Erfyl Fychan, William Morris, Cynan, Crwys and Trefin.

Thomas Llewelyn Jones (born October 11, 1915 – died January 9, 2009) was a famous Welsh language writer. For over 50 years, he wrote many popular children's books in Welsh. Most people knew him as T. Llew Jones.

About T. Llew Jones

T. Llew Jones was born in a place called Pentrecwrt, near Llandysul. He went to school there and later became a primary school teacher. He taught for 35 years before he started writing full-time. He was even a headmaster at Ysgol Coedybryn.

He first became well-known as a poet. He won a special award called the "chair" at the National Eisteddfod in both 1958 and 1959. This is a big honor for Welsh poets!

Even though he wrote poetry, especially for children, he was most famous for his adventure and detective stories. Many of his books were historical novels. They told exciting tales about real-life figures like the pirate Bartholomew Roberts (also known as Barti Ddu) and the Welsh folk hero Twm Sion Cati.

T. Llew Jones wrote more than 50 books in total, for both kids and adults. Some of his books were non-fiction, like Ofnadwy Nos, which tells the true story of a shipwreck. Some of his stories were even turned into TV shows!

He received an honorary degree from the University of Wales in 1977. In 1991, he won the Mary Vaughan Jones Award, which celebrates great contributions to children's books in Wales. He even won the Eisteddfod chair again in 2005, when he was almost 90 years old!

T. Llew Jones passed away in 2009 at the age of 93. A new Welsh primary school, Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol T Llew Jones, was named after him in 2012.

He was also the father of Emyr Llewelyn, a political activist, and Iolo Ceredig Jones, an international chess player.

T. Llew Jones and Chess

T. Llew Jones loved playing chess. He even wrote the only Welsh language chess guide with his son, Iolo. He was a key person in the Welsh Chess Union. He helped the Welsh Chess Union become independent from the British Chess Federation in 1970. This meant Wales could join the World Chess Federation (FIDE) on its own.

He held several important roles in the Welsh Chess Union. He also started and edited Y Ddraig, a magazine for Welsh chess players. He managed the Welsh men's team at the 1974 Chess Olympiad in Nice, where they got their best result ever! He also managed the women's team in 1976. For many years, he was the Vice-President of the Welsh Chess Union.

He was very involved in chess in the Dyfed area, helping to create chess clubs and tournaments. He was known as a strong and competitive player, especially in postal chess (where moves are sent by mail).

Awards and Special Recognitions

• 1958 – Won the Chair at the Welsh National Eisteddfod, Ebbw Vale
• 1959 – Won the Chair at the Welsh National Eisteddfod, Caernarfon
• 1967 – Won the Tir na n-Og Award for his book Tân ar y Comin
• 1990 – Won the Tir na n-Og Award again for Lleuad yn Olau
• 1991 – Received the Mary Vaughan Jones Award
• 2007 – Won the Welsh Publishing Awards, "Best Seller – Poetry", for Geiriau a Gerais

Books Written by T. Llew Jones

Audio Books and CDs

• Lleuad yn Olau – Chwedlau Traddodiadol o Gymru, November 2003, re-printed February 2005 (Tympan)

Books T. Llew Jones Helped Edit

• Cerddi Gwlad Ac Ysgol, October 1976, Gwasg Gomer
• Tales the Wind Told, August 1979, JD Lewis
• Cerddi Bardd y Werin – Detholiad o Farddoniaeth Crwys, January 1994, Gwasg Gomer

Books About T. Llew Jones

• Teifi, Siân Cyfaredd y cyfarwydd : astudiaeth o fywyd a gwaith y prifardd T. Llew Jones
• Cyfrol deyrnged y Prifardd T. Llew Jones (edited by Gwynn ap Gwilym)

More Information

• (Welsh) Cronfa Goffa T Llew Jones, T Llew Jones Memorial Fund.
• (Welsh) "Adnabod Awdur", brief biography and questionnaire.