William Evans (Wil Ifan) facts for kids
William Evans (born April 22, 1883, died July 16, 1968) was a famous Welsh poet. He was better known by his special poet name, Wil Ifan. He even became the Archdruid, a very important leader, of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1947 to 1950. The Eisteddfod is a big festival in Wales that celebrates Welsh culture, especially music and poetry.
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Early Life and Education
Wil Ifan was born in Cwmbach, near Llanwinio, in Carmarthenshire, Wales. His father, Dan Evans, was a Congregationalist minister, and his mother was Mary Davies. His family later moved to Cwmafan.
He went to grammar school in Port Talbot. After that, he continued his studies at the University of Wales, Bangor, and then at Mansfield College, Oxford.
Becoming a Minister
Following in his father's footsteps, Wil Ifan also became a Congregationalist Minister. He was officially made a minister in 1906. This happened at the English Congregationalist Chapel in Dolgellau, Merionethshire. He worked there as the chapel minister for three years.
While living in Dolgellau, he met Nesta Wyn Edwards. They got married on December 28, 1910, in Dolgellau. They had four children together.
In 1909, he moved to Bridgend, Glamorganshire, to become the minister of the English Congregationalist church there. He spent most of his life in Bridgend, except for a period between 1917 and 1925 when he worked in Cardiff.
Poetry and the Eisteddfod
Wil Ifan was a very talented poet. To become an Archdruid, a poet must win a major prize at the National Eisteddfod. Wil Ifan won the "Crown" prize three times:
- In 1913 at Abergavenny
- In 1917 at Birkenhead (this was the year Hedd Wyn was given the "Chair" prize after he had passed away)
- In 1925 at Pwllheli
These wins showed how skilled he was as a poet and helped him become the Archdruid.
Later Life and Legacy
Wil Ifan passed away in Bridgend on July 16, 1968. He is buried in Rhydymain, which is in Merionethshire. His poetry and his role as Archdruid left an important mark on Welsh culture.
Published Works
Wil Ifan wrote many books of poetry. Here are some of his well-known works:
- Dros y Nyth (1915)
- Dail Iorwg (1919)
- Plant y Babell (1922)
- O Ddydd i Ddydd (1927)
- Y Winllan Las (1936)
- Unwaith Eto (1946)
- Y Filltir Deg (1954)
- Colofnau Wil Ifan (1962)
