In this episode we look at one of the most enigmatic characters of the Welsh literary tradtion (and perhaps one of the most enigmatic characters of all of Welsh history), Edward Williams or Iolo Morganwg (1747-1826).
We consider his political radicalism and connect it to some of his original poems. We pay tribute to his cultural contributions and his scholarly ability. But, of course, we have to linger over his forgeries as well. A host of tantalizing questions emerges. Was Iolo’s shop the first fair trade shop in Wales? Why did he devote himself to forging so many things? To what extent was he a completely unigue figure and to what extent can we connect him to a broader Romantic movement? We also discuss his connection with the Gwyneddigion Society and we take an opportunity to mention one of his associates, Morgan John Rhys.
Presented by: Yr Athro Jerry Hunter a’r Athro Richard Wyn Jones Producaed by: Richard Martin ar gyfer Mimosa Cymru Music: ‘Might Have Done’ gan The Molenes
Further Reading:
- G. J. Williams, Iolo Morganwg (1956).
- Ceri Lewis, Iolo Morganwg (1995).
- Geraint Jenkins, A rattleskull genius: the many faces of Iolo Morganwg (2005).
- Mary-Ann Constantine, The truth against the world: Iolo Morganwg and Romantic forgery (2007).
- Marin Löffler, The literary and historical legacy of Iolo Morganwg, 1826-1926 (2007).
- Geraint Jenkins, Bard of Liberty: the political radicalism of Iolo Morganwg (2012).
- Prys Morgan, ‘From a Death to a View: The Hunt for the Welsh Past in the Romantic Period’, yn Eric Hobsbawn a Terence Ranger (goln.), The Invention of Tradition (1983).