David Hughes (Eos Iâl)

David Hughes (c. 1794 - 2 March 1862), known by his bardic name of Eos Iâl, was a Welsh poet and publisher.[1] Hughes is known as the author of the plygain carol Ar Gyfer Heddiw'r Bore.

Not to be confused with David Hughes (poet).

Early life

Hughes was born in around 1794, probably at "Brynllwynog", Bryneglwys near Corwen, Denbighshire. In the 1820s he moved a few miles away to Cynwyd, in the parish of Llangar. He married twice and fathered eight children. He lived in "Nhŷ yr Ardd", Pentre, a hamlet near Bryneglwys. Fond of alcohol when a young man, he was subsequently drawn to the evangelical temperance movement, becoming one of its leaders as well as an Oddfellow and a member of the Baptist church, firstly at Cynwyd and then at Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy, where, dying aged 67, he was buried.[1][2]

Poet

In 1824 he won an Eisteddfod in Corwen and remained a competitor until 1835. In 1839 he published a volume of verse which proved highly popular. Bob Owen, Croesor says, of this collection: "Much of its content is of a popular appeal and of ephemeral value."[1][2] His work critiqued what he regarded as the prevailing social and moral laxity of his day.[3]

Printing and publishing

In 1837 he bought a printing press, producing a small number of books and some songs and carols.[1]

Works published
  • "Ffrwyth y Profiad neu Waedd yn Erbyn Meddwdod" ("The Fruit of Experience or Tirade against Drunkenness") (pamphlet)
  • "Araith Beelsebub Tywysog y Fagddu Fawr" ("The Great Prince Beelzebub") (pamphlet)
  • "Udgorn y Jubili a'r Gynadledd" ("Trumpet of the Jubilee and Conference") (held by Bangor University Library)

See also
  • William Jones (Ehedydd Iâl) (15 August 1815 - 15 February 1899)

References
  1. Robert (Bob) Owen, O.B.E., M.A., (1885-1962). "The National Library of Wales: Dictionary of Welsh Biography". yba.llgc.org. Retrieved 22 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Robert (Bob) Owen, O.B.E., M.A., (1885-1962). "Y Bywgraffiadur Arlein" (in Welsh). National Library of Wales. Retrieved 22 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion - 1940 1941, p. 156: Dafydd Hughes (Eos Iâl)" (in Welsh). Digital record at National Library of Wales. Retrieved 22 December 2016.

Further reading
  • Jones, Rhuthyn: R. (1839). Eos Iâl sef Llyfr Barddonawl(heb fod yr un llinell o hono yn argraffedig o'r blaen) yn cynwys awdlau, cywyddau ac englynion ar wahanol destynau; hefyd, carolau, cerddi, marwnadau, emynau buddiol, ynghyd a Galarnad y gwrthgiliwr o ben Amana, o gopa Senir a Hermon , Rhuthyn, 1839 … gan Dafydd Hughes , Llansantffraid Glyndyfrdwy (in Welsh).
  • Hughes, Dafydd (1940). The Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion. pp. 156–179.
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