Elfyn Papers

A collection of Welsh poetry in the hand of Elfyn as well as copies of his work in the hand of his son, C. Elfyn Hughes and John William Jones of Tanygrisiau, Merionethshire. Numerous compositions were entered in Eisteddfod competitions. Some are printed. There are also letters addressed to Robert Owen Hughes from various correspondents, mainly on the subject of poetry or regarding articles published by him in his newspapers, 1886 - 1918.

A lecture by Elfyn on Islwyn is undated. Also, there are notes and articles on Elfyn by C. Elfyn Hughes and J.W. Jones aforementioned, 1892 - 1952.

Robert Owen Hughes, journalist and poet, was born in 1858 in Llanrwst, Denbighshire. Although he received an apprenticeship at the banking firm of Pugh Jones and Co. and even contemplated becoming a Calvinistic Methodist minister, in 1885 he became sub-editor of the newspaperGwalia. Later he became editor of Y Rhedegydd and Y Glorian and he was a frequent contributor to Y Genhinen and Cymru.

Under the bardic name of Elfyn he won several Eisteddfod competitions, including the chair at the 1898 National Eisteddfod. He published a collection of poems under the title Caniadau Elfyn. He died in 1919.

The papers have been arranged according to record type and then chronologically in some cases. They have been incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts

Open to all users.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, December 2001.

An item level typescript catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 24022 - 24065

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.