John Parry Ddall

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John Parry, known as Parry Ddall, Rhiwabon (or Blind Parry of Ruabon) was born in about 1710 on the Llŷn Peninsula, Caernarfonshire, Wales and was blind from birth.

His first patrons were the Griffiths family, of the Cefn Amwlch estate at Bryn Cynan on Pen Llŷn, who provided the young Parry with a Welsh triple harp. He later became harpist to Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn at Wynnstay, Ruabon and became a master of the High Baroque. He lived on the Wynnstay estate but spent much of his time at the Williams-Wynn's London home where he performed on the Welsh triple harp for London's cultural elite. Parry became a member of the Royal Society of Musicians in 1763.

He inspired Thomas Gray with his 1757 poem, The Bard.[1]

Parry remained with the Williams-Wynne family until his death in 1782.


[edit] References

  1. ^ "The Invention of Tradition", Prys Morgan