Michael Daniel Jones (2 March 1822 – 2 December 1898) was a Welsh Congregationalist minister and principal of a theological college, but is best remembered as a founder of the Welsh settlement in Patagonia known as Y Wladfa and as one of the fathers of modern Welsh nationalism.
Jones was born in Llanuwchllyn, Merioneth (Gwynedd) in 1822 but according to Ceredigion County Council and local knowledge he was born at Yr Aifft, Henfynyw near Aberaeron. After training for the ministry in Carmarthen and London, he emigrated to America and was ordained at Cincinnati. After the death of his father he returned to Wales to follow him as the principal of Bala Congregational College.
His name is closely linked with the attempt to establish a Welsh settlement in Patagonia, Argentina, in the 1860s where Welsh would be the language of religion, government, trade, and education.
Jones is recognised as the first to advocate a political solution to defending Welsh identity and therefore is seen as one of the most significant forerunners of Welsh nationalism.
See also the collections of essays on his life and work, Michael D. Jones a'i Wladfa Gymreig, ed. E. Wyn James and Bill Jones (Llanrwst: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2009)