W. J. Gruffydd (Elerydd)

For Welsh scholar and politician (1881–1954), see W. J. Gruffydd.

William John Gruffydd (1916 – 21 April 2011),[1] better known by his bardic name of Elerydd, was a Welsh Baptist minister and poet who served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales between 1984 and 1987.[2][3]

Like all Archdruids, Elerydd was himself the winner of a major prize at the National Eisteddfod, in his case the crown at the Pwllheli Eisteddfod in 1955 and at Cardiff in 1960.

Works

Poetry

• Ffenestri (1961)
• Cerddi'r Llygad (1973)

Autobiography

• Meddylu (1986)
• O Ffair Rhos i'r Maen Llog (2003)

Other

• Folklore and myth (1964)
• Tua Soar (1994–97) Capel Soar y Mynydd, Ceredigion.

References

1. "Poet WJ Gruffydd dies, aged 94"
2. National Museum of Wales
3. "WJ Gruffydd: Writer who helped keep alive the Welsh tradition". The Independent. London. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2022.

Preceded by James Nicholas

Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales 1984–1987

Succeeded by Emrys Roberts