William Edwards (February 1719 – 7 August 1789) was a Welsh Methodist minister who also practised as a stonemason, architect and bridge engineer.
Edwards was born in Eglwysilan, Glamorgan, and began preaching in his early twenties. In 1745 he became joint pastor of a newly-established Independent chapel at Groeswen, remaining in the post until his death.[1] He is buried in the graveyard of Eglwysilan church.
Edwards' most famous creation was the Old Bridge at Pontypridd, built between 1746 and 1754. The contract included a "guarantee" clause, and Edwards actually constructed three successive bridges at the same site, with only the last surviving the torrential waters of the River Taff. At 140 ft, the bridge was the largest single span in the world when it was constructed. Edwards' master-stroke was to lighten the weight of the stone by leaving "holes" in the lower part of the structure. The resulting construction still stands today, although another bridge next to it carries modern traffic. The bridge opened in 1755 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2005.
Edwards also built bridges in Aberafan, Betws, Cilycwm Pontardawe and Usk, and he was responsible for the layout of Morriston, the planned industrial village near Swansea.[1]