Thomas Price (Carnhuanawc)

Reverend Thomas Price (2 October 1787 – 7 November 1848)^[1] (known by the bardic name of Carnhuanawc) was a historian and a major Welsh literary figure of the early 19th century.

Price was born at Pencaerelin, in Llanfihangel-bryn-Pabuan, near Builth Wells. In 1805 he went to Brecon grammar school, living in lodgings until he was able to qualify as a deacon of the Church of England. He became a curate in Radnorshire, living at Builth Wells with his mother. He wrote in both the English and Welsh languages.

Price was a major influence on Lady Charlotte Guest, whom he assisted in her translation of the Mabinogion. He was also associated with the work of Augusta Hall, Baroness Llanover, to whom he taught Welsh. Lady Llanover became his patron and brought him to live near her when his health failed.

Price was an advocate of pan-Celticism and to this end, in 1824-45, learnt the Breton language. He also encouraged the British and Foreign Bible Society to fund the translation and printing of the Breton Bible (1827?). He visited Jean-François Le Gonidec at Angoulême in 1829 assisting him with the Breton translation.^[2]

Works

• An Essay on the Physiognomy and Physiology of the Present Inhabitants of Britain (1829)
• Hanes Cymru a Chenedl y Cymryo'r Cynoesoedd hyd at Farwolaeth Llywelyn ap Gruffydd ("Welsh History and the Ancient Welsh Nation up to the Death of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd") (1836–1842)
• The Geographical Progress of Empire and Civilization (1847)
• Literary Remains (1854–55)

References

External links

• Cymdeithas Carnhuanawc (Carnhuanawc Society) - in Welsh, English, French and Breton