C Y M R A E G

Gwilym Cowlyd

William John Roberts (Gwilym Cowlyd, 1828-1904) was a publisher, bookseller and poet, who followed his own interpretation of Iolo Morganwg's bardo-druidism. Disillusioned with the Anglicized nature and materialism of the national Eisteddfod movement, he established his own festival - Arwest Farddonol Glan Geirionnydd (Poetic Picnic on the Shores of Geirionnydd) and attracted considerable support in his criticism of the Eisteddfod. However, he died impoverished and his legacy has been largely forgotten.
Admin