(Q50794)

Despite a not insubstantial literary output, David Jones ('Dewi Fardd') did not earn much repute as a poet, though he is noted for editing poetic anthologies such as Blodeu Gerdd Cymry (1759). In 1776 he established an extensive and successful printing press at Trefriw. The business was continued by his son Ishmael Davies, his grandson John Jones ('Pyll Glan Conwy') - who transferred the press to Llanrwst in 1825 - and his great-grandson Owen Evan(s) Jones, who traded under the name of 'O. Evans-Jones & Co.' David Jones was also a keen and diligent collector of ancient Welsh manuscripts, many of which have since been deposited at the British Library and the National Library of Wales.