Papers of Cynan

The collection consists of manuscript, typescript and draft material by Cynan. Amongst the poetry there are odes, long poems in free metre and in metre, hymns, carols and translations of poems. Included is a first draft of Anfon y Nico i Landwr and a copy of Cofnodion a Chyfansoddiadau Eisteddfod Genedlaethol 1924 Pontypwl with Cynan's amendments to his ode I'r Dduw nid Adweinir. The plays and dramatic productions include his pageants Hywel Harris and Absalom fy Mab. Amongst the essays is a typescript of his only novel Ffarwel Weledig, described as a romance of Macedonia. Other material includes, lectures, addresses and essays on various subjects, mostly relating to drama and Welsh literature; prayers and sermons; new! spaper cuttings; correspondence; radio talks; photographs; L.P. recordings of Cynan reading his poetry. There is documentation regarding the National Eisteddfod and relating to Cynan's connection with the Free Masons.

Albert Evans-Jones, 1895 - 1970, better known by his bardic name Cynan, was a poet, playwright and a zealous supporter of the National Eisteddfod of Wales. He studied at the University College of North Wales, Bangor and served in the First World War as a soldier and chaplain. Following the war, he was a Minister with the Calvinistic Methodists at Penmaenmawr, Caernarfonshire and was a tutor at the Extra-Mural Department of the University College of North Wales between 1931 - 1960. He was also a censor of Welsh plays under the Lord Chamberlain. Between 1950 - 1953 he was Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod and President of the Eisteddfod Court between 1963 and 1965. He was knighted in 1969. Cynan won the crown three times at the National Eisteddfod for Mab y Bwthyn in 1921, for Yr Ynys Unig in 1923 and for Y Dyrfa in 1931. He also won the chair for I'r Dduw nid Adweinir in 1924.

The papers of Cynan are incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts. The largest group of over 400 items has been catalogued in one section and the items within it are arranged according to type. However, there are a few stray items within the collection which also belong to his papers.

Open to all users.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, July 2001.

Item level typescript catalogue available at the Department of Manuscripts of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manucripts : 16964, 22325-22739, 25707, 31228, 36356B.

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