Gwyn Thomas, Welsh poet and academic, Died at 79

  Educator, Writers

Professor Gwyn Thomas was born on September 2, 1936, in Tanygrisiau, and died on April 13, 2016.

He was a Welsh poet, academic and a former National Poet of Wales.

He grew up in his hometown and in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Gwyn Thomas was educated at Ysgol Sir Festiniog, University of Wales, Bangor and Jesus College, Oxford; Prof Thomas is Emeritus Professor of Welsh at the University of Wales, Bangor.

He was known to have published 16 volumes of poetry, several volumes of work as a literary and cultural critic and has also translated the Mabinogion into English.

The Professor first work as a poet Chwerwder yn y Ffynhonnau (“Bitterness in the Fountains”) was published in 1962, while his latest Apocalups Yfory (“Apocalypse Tomorrow”) was published in 2005.

He also a literary and cultural critic and has published several volumes of essays, critiques, adaptations and translations, including the classic Y Traddodiad Barddol – a study of the classic poetic tradition of Wales.

Also, he was involved with the film industry in Wales and has helped pioneer techniques to combine poetry and film.

Thomas published his autobiography, in 2006 entitled Bywyd Bach, having been asked to write this as one of the series Cyfres y Cewri (Series of the Giants).

Also in 2006, Gwyn Thomas was appointed National Poet of Wales by Academi, replacing Wales first national poet Gwyneth Lewis.

Gwyn said he would use the 12-month appointment to draw attention to the work of Welsh poets.

Gwyn Thomas has provided the words for many motivational books and recently added his touch to an inspirational photographic book entitled Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Gwyn Thomas passed away at 79 yrs old.