Daniel James (Gwyrosydd)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Daniel James (January 13, 1847 – March 11, 1920), also known by his bardic name of Gwyrosydd, was a Welsh poet and hymn-writer, best known for writing the words to the popular hymn, "Calon Lân".
Daniel James came from Treboeth in Swansea. He lost his father at an early age, later becoming a puddler at Morriston iron-works, and afterwards worked at Landore tin-plate works. He began to write verse and assumed the bardic name Gwyrosydd. He later found work in Tredegar, Dowlais, Blaengarw, and Mountain Ash, where he spent 20 years. He returned to Morriston in 1918 to live with his daughter, and died there in March 1920. He was buried at Mynyddbach, and a memorial tablet was placed at Treboeth Public Hall in 1936. Much of his verse appeared in periodicals and newspapers, but collections were also published. Calon Lân is easily his most popular hymn, and regularly tops the lists of favourite Welsh hymns. He is thought to have written the words while he lived at Blaengarw, and the local council is to open a new park (Parc Calon Lân) in his honour in 2008.
