William Williams (Crwys) facts for kids
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William Williams (born January 4, 1875 – died January 13, 1968) was a famous Welsh poet. He was better known by his special "bardic name," Crwys, which means "Cross." He wrote his poems in the Welsh language. Crwys was also a very important leader in Welsh culture. He served as the Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1939 to 1947.
What is an Archdruid?
The Archdruid is the leader of the National Eisteddfod of Wales. The Eisteddfod is a big festival in Wales that celebrates Welsh language, music, and poetry. It's a very old tradition. Being the Archdruid is a huge honor for a poet or writer in Wales. It means they are seen as a top figure in Welsh culture.
Crwys: A Champion Poet
To become an Archdruid, a poet usually has to win major prizes at the National Eisteddfod. Crwys was a champion poet himself. He won the main poetry prize, called the Crown, three times!
He won the Crown at:
- Colwyn Bay in 1910
- Carmarthen in 1911
- Corwen in 1919
After his success, a special bronze statue of Crwys was made. You can see this statue at Carmarthen Castle. It honors his important contributions to Welsh poetry.
What Crwys Wrote About
Crwys's poems often showed a beautiful picture of life in the Welsh countryside. He loved to write about the simple, everyday lives of people in rural Wales. For example, his winning poem from the 1911 Eisteddfod praised the "common people of Wales." This shows he cared deeply about ordinary Welsh folk. Some of his poems have even been translated into English. This allows more people to enjoy his work.
His Books
Crwys wrote many books of poetry and other works during his life. Here are some of his well-known publications:
- Ednyfed Fychan (1910) – This poem was inspired by the life of a historical figure named Ednyfed Fychan.
- Dysgub y Dail
- Melin Trefin
- Cerddi Crwys (1920)
- Cerddi Newydd Crwys (1924)
- A brief history of Rehoboth Congregational Church, Bryn-mawr, from 1643 to 1927 (1927)
- Trydydd Cerddi Crwys (1935)
- Mynd a dod (1941)
- Cerddi Crwys, y pedwerydd llyfr (1944)
- Pedair Pennod (1950)
