John Blackwell

John Blackwell (born 1797, Mold, Flintshire, Wales—died May 19, 1841, Cardigan, Cardiganshire) was a poet and prose writer, regarded as the father of the modern Welsh secular lyric. While an apprentice shoemaker, he began attending meetings of the Cymreigyddion, an organization of Welshmen in London dedicated to preserving ancient Welsh literature, and he participated in eisteddfods (competitive festivals in the arts, especially poetry and singing). With financial help from friends he attended the University of...