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giants: Literary

Our surroundings don't just captivate visual artists. They've been known to fire the passions of writers, poets and playwrights, too.

Fiery parish priest and staunch nationalist R S Thomas mourned the decline of Welsh culture. So you might be surprised to hear that the majority of his poetry was written in English.

Wales' first great novelist, Daniel Owen had such a keen eye for a character, he's been compared to Dickens. And it was the work of Caernarfon-born Hester Lynch Piozzi Thrale that gave us an insight into the life of her friend Dr Samuel Johnson.

While she wasn't busy forging a reputation as Wales' foremost author of the 20th century, Kate Roberts found time to run Gwasg Gee publishing house in Denbigh as well.

Soon after he was killed in World War I, Hedd Wyn was posthumously awarded the Bard's Chair at the National Eisteddfod for his poem ‘Yr Arwr' (The Hero) – ‘possibly the most ambitious of any Eisteddfod winner in the 20th Century'.

By the time of his death Mostyn-born playwright Emlyn Williams had appeared in no fewer than 41 films and television dramas. His 20 screenplays included one which was made into a Hollywood film. Twice.

Visiting writers have gleaned inspiration here, too. During his time in Tremeirchion, poet Gerard Manley Hopkins composed a few of his most famous pieces. Whilst holidaying in Llandudno, Lewis Carroll got to know Alice Liddel – inspiration for his Alice in Wonderland stories. And you can browse the vast collections of prolific reader, writer and Victorian Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone at Saint Deiniol's Library, Hawarden. And who knows? A visit to North Wales might just bring out the writer in you. Even if it is just a postcard.

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giants: Literary

Daniel Owen (1836-1895)

Wales’ first great novelist, Daniel Owen was born in Mold, Flintshire and worked as an apprentice tailor until, aged 24, he left to study at The Methodist College, Bala. Within 2 years he was back at the tailor’s shop, but continued preaching – having several of his sermons published.

Emlyn Williams (1905-1987)

Mostyn-born actor, screenwriter and director George Emlyn Williams made his acting debut on the London stage in 1927 and by 1930 had begun his screenwriting career with ‘A Murder Has Been Arranged’. He became a Broadway star in 1935 with his thriller ‘Night Must Fall’, in which he played the lead.

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)

Gerard Manley Hopkins was born into an artistic Victorian family in Essex. He began writing poetry at an early age, going on to read classics at Oxford. In 1866 he converted to Catholicism, and a year later entered a Jesuit novitiate. Thinking his poetry incompatible with his vocation, he destroyed every poem written to date – it would be 8 years before he penned another.

Hedd Wyn (1887 – 1917)

Born Ellis Humphrey Evans in Trawsfynnydd, Gwynedd, shepherd and poet Hedd Wyn (his Bardic name meaning ‘white peace’) had begun writing at an early age and gained success in local Eisteddfodau.

Hester Lynch Piozzi Thrale (1741-1821)

Diarist and author Hester Lynch Salusbury was born at Bodvel Hall near Pwllheli, Gwynedd into one of 18th century Wales’ most illustrious land-owning families. In 1763 she married brewer magnate Henry Thrale and moved to London where her husband’s financial status allowed her to enter London society.

Kate Roberts (1891–1985) and Gwasg Gee

Novelist and short-story writer Kate Roberts was born in 1891 in Rhosgadfan, near Caernarfon. She gained a degree in Welsh Literature and a teaching diploma from Bangor University, after which she taught in Swansea and Aberdare, before relocating to Cardiff. With the help of ‘a sharper pair of eyes than any other in Wales’ she wrote profusely, penning such Welsh classics as Te Yn Y Grug (Tea In The Heather).

Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson / Lewis Carroll (1832– 1898)

Better known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll, Cheshire-born Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson was more than just an author. He also worked as a mathematician, a logician, an Anglican clergyman, and a photographer.

RS Thomas (1913-2000)

Ronald Stuart Thomas was born in Cardiff in 1913. He read Classics at Bangor University (home today to the RS Thomas Study Centre) and was schooled in theology at St. Michael’s College, Llandaff. He was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church in Wales in 1936, and posted to several locations across Wales, including Chirk, Denbighshire; Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsula and Manafon, Montgomeryshire – where he published his first three volumes of poetry.

William Ewart Gladstone (1809 - 1898)

William Ewart Gladstone was born in Liverpool and educated at Eton and Oxford. He was elected to Parliament, as a Tory, aged 23 and in 1859 joined the Liberal party. He become the Liberal leader in 1867 and British Prime Minister for the first time the following year.

Ian Woosnam the Ryder Cup Golf captain always describes himself as Welsh, though actually born in Oswestry! He started his golfing career at Llanymynech

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