William Thomas (Q62596)

The Rev. William Thomas ('Glanffrwd', 1843-1890), cleric and historian, was born at Ynysybwl, Glamorgan. He became a Calvinistic Methodist preacher, but after a year as minister, he joined the Established Church. In 1875 he was ordained and made curate of West Cornforth, Co. Durham, and later of Mold, Flintshire. He was made vicar-choral, and later chief vicar of St Asaph. Glanffrwd was a strong supporter of the eisteddfod, acting as a conductor. He published poetry in the collection Sisialon y Ffrwyd and wrote on the subjects of antiquity and linguistics, and also historical work, notably Plwf Llanwynno (1888). The work of Glanffrwd continued to be published after his death by the Glamorgan Free Press.