François Jaffrennou (Q60858)

François Jaffrennou (Taldir, 1879-1956), Breton nationalist writer and editor, was born in Carnoët, Côtes du Nord, Brittany, on 15 March 1879 to Claude Jaffrennou and Anna Ropars.He assumed the bardic name Taldir ab Hernin in 1899 on being accepted into the Gorsedd at the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff and went on to co-found the Goursez Vreizh (the Gorsedd of Brittany) in 1901. 'Bro Gozh ma Zadoù', his Breton translation of 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau', has come to be regarded as the Breton national anthem.He worked for several Breton newspapers, then co-founded the periodical Ar Vro and the newspaper Ar Bobl at Carhaix, Finistère. These came to an end in 1914 at the outbreak of the First World War, during which Jaffrennou served in the French army. From 1926 he published the quarterly review An Oaled. He was the author of numerous books, mainly in Breton, including four volumes of poetry.He was imprisoned from 1944 to 1946 on suspicion of collaboration during the Nazi Occupation, but was ultimately pardoned. His last days were spent in Le Mans and Bergerac. He died 23 March 1956 and was buried in Carhaix.