Photocopies of lectures by Harri Webb relating to the 1831 Merthyr Rising

Photocopies of a manuscript in the hand of Harri Webb (1920-94) containing his lectures 'Dic Penderyn a Gwrthryfel Merthyr 1831', delivered to Cymreigyddion Merthyr Tydfil in 1955; together with an English version 'Dic Penderyn and the Merthyr Rising of 1831', delivered to the Merthyr Tydfil Trades Council and Labour Party, 1955, and to other groups and societies in the area in 1956 (it was later published in 1956 as Dic Penderyn and the Merthyr Rising of 1831 (Swansea: Gwasg Penderyn, 1956)); and an account 'Brwydrau Beca'

Harri Webb (1920-1994), poet, from Swansea, Glamorgan, went to Magdalen College Oxford. He worked as a bookseller and librarian in Cardiff, Dowlais and Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, retiring in 1974; in the 1970s he wrote several television scripts. He was strongly influenced by the Scottish poet Hugh Mac Diarmid, writer and nationalist politician. He was a member of the Welsh Republican Movement, as well as Plaid Cymru; he was a prolific journalist, and editor of Welsh Nation magazine. He was an active member of the New Nation/Cilmeri group in the 1960s, aiming to replace the leadership of Plaid Cymru. He stood as Plaid Cymru candidate in the general election of 1970 at Pontypool, but in the mid 1970s became disillusioned with the party. His poetry was published in the collections 'The Green Desert' (1969) and 'A Crown for Branwen' (1974). He mainly wrote in English, although he also used Welsh. He contributed regularly to the magazine Poetry Wales, which he had helped to establish; he also acted as a reader for the Welsh Arts Council, and published two collections of songs and ballads. Since his death in 1994, a Collected Poems and selections from his political and literary journalism have been published.

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Donated by Merthyr Tydfil Public Library Service, March 2000. ; A2000/20

Harri Webb (1920-1994), poet, from Swansea, Glamorgan, went to Magdalen College Oxford. He worked as a bookseller and librarian in Cardiff, Dowlais and Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, retiring in 1974; in the 1970s he wrote several television scripts. He was strongly influenced by the Scottish poet Hugh Mac Diarmid, writer and nationalist politician. He was a member of the Welsh Republican Movement, as well as Plaid Cymru; he was a prolific journalist, and editor of Welsh Nation magazine. He was an active member of the New Nation/Cilmeri group in the 1960s, aiming to replace the leadership of Plaid Cymru. He stood as Plaid Cymru candidate in the general election of 1970 at Pontypool, but in the mid 1970s became disillusioned with the party. His poetry was published in the collections 'The Green Desert' (1969) and 'A Crown for Branwen' (1974). He mainly wrote in English, although he also used Welsh. He contributed regularly to the magazine Poetry Wales, which he had helped to establish; he also acted as a reader for the Welsh Arts Council, and published two collections of songs and ballads. Since his death in 1994, a Collected Poems and selections from his political and literary journalism have been published.

Preferred citation: NLW Facs 942

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The notebook was donated to Merthyr Tydfil Central Library and photocopies were provided for NLW.

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Merthyr Tydfil Central Library

Harri Webb, Dic Penderyn and the Merthyr Rising of 1831 (Swansea: Gwasg Penderyn, 1956)

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