William Morgan (Bible translator) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend William Morgan
Imagined portrait by T. Prytherch (1907)
Born	1545 Penmachno, Caernarfonshire, Wales
Died	10 September 1604 St Asaph, Flintshire, Wales
Occupation	First person to translate the whole Bible into Welsh Bishop of Llandaff and St Asaph

William Morgan (born 1545 – died 10 September 1604) was a Welsh bishop. He served as a bishop in Llandaff and later in St Asaph. He is most famous for being the first person to translate the entire Bible into the Welsh language. He translated it from its original languages, Greek and Hebrew.

This is the title page of William Morgan's Bible translation from 1588.

The first page of the Book of Genesis in Morgan's Bible.

Who Was William Morgan?
- His Education
- His Work as a Clergyman
Why Translate the Bible?
- The First Complete Welsh Bible
Later Life and Family
Remembering William Morgan
Images for kids
See also

Who Was William Morgan?

William Morgan was born in 1545 at Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant in North Wales. This place is near Betws-y-Coed. His father rented land from the Gwydir estate. Because of this, William likely studied at Gwydir Castle with the children of the Wynn family.

His Education

Morgan then went to St John's College, Cambridge, a famous university. There, he studied many subjects. These included philosophy, mathematics, and Greek. He earned his first degree in 1568 and a master's degree in 1571.

After that, he spent seven years studying the Bible. He learned to read it in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. He also studied the writings of early Christian leaders and Protestant thinkers. He earned more degrees in divinity in 1578 and 1583. While at Cambridge, he was friends with Edmwnd Prys, a Welsh clergyman and poet. Edmwnd Prys later helped Morgan with his Bible translation.

His Work as a Clergyman

In 1568, William Morgan became a clergyman in the Church of England. His first church job was in Llanbadarn Fawr in 1572. Later, he moved to Welshpool in 1575. In 1578, he became the vicar of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant. This is where he did most of his important Bible translation work. In 1579, he also became the rector of Llanfyllin, holding both jobs at the same time.

Why Translate the Bible?

In 1567, another Welshman, William Salesbury, published a Welsh translation of the New Testament. William Morgan was happy about this. However, he strongly believed that the Old Testament also needed to be in Welsh. He wanted all Welsh people to be able to read the entire Bible in their own language.

The First Complete Welsh Bible

So, in the early 1580s, Morgan started translating the Old Testament. In 1588, he published his complete Bible. This book included his Old Testament translation. It also had an updated version of Salesbury's New Testament.

After this, Morgan worked on updating the Book of Common Prayer in Welsh. This book is used in church services. He also started fixing mistakes in his 1588 Bible. After Morgan died, two other scholars, Bishop Richard Parry and John Davies, continued his work.

In 1620, a revised version of the Bible was published. This updated Bible is still known as William Morgan's translation. It became the standard Welsh Bible for centuries. It is still used today. Thanks to his work, Welsh people could read the Bible in their own language. This was at about the same time as English people could read it in English. This was a huge step for the Welsh language.

Later Life and Family

William Morgan became the Bishop of Llandaff in 1595. Then, in 1601, he moved to become the Bishop of St Asaph. He passed away on September 10, 1604.

He was married twice. His first wife was Ellen Salesbury. Later, he married Catherine. He had one son named Evan. Evan later became the vicar of his father's old church in Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant.

Remembering William Morgan

Many places remember William Morgan and his important work.

His birthplace, Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, is now a historic house museum. The National Trust takes care of it.
There is a special plaque near the church of St Dogfan in Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant. This plaque remembers Morgan. He did his famous translations while working at this church.
You can also find a memorial to him in St John's College Chapel, Cambridge. This is where he studied as a student.
In 2019, a new government office building in Central Square, Cardiff was named 'Tŷ William Morgan - William Morgan House' in his honor.