Huw Robert Jones
Huw Robert Jones (1894–August 1930), known as H. R. Jones, was a Welsh nationalist politician.
Jones was born in Ebenezer in Caernarfonshire,[1] where he worked in the quarries from the age of thirteen,[2] and later as a travelling grocery salesman.[3] He led a campaign to rename his home village as "Deiniolen", which was successful.[1] Always a strong proponent of home rule for Wales, in 1924 he founded the Welsh Home Rule Army and,[1] as one of its three most prominent leaders, he attended the founding meeting of Plaid Cymru.[4]
Plaid was founded in a hotel in Pwllheli, while the National Eisteddfod was underway.[4] Jones was chosen as its first general secretary, but the other party founders convinced him to avoid non-violent direct action in their cause.[5] In 1928, he stood for election to the county council in Upper Deiniolen, the party's only candidate, but he was not elected.[6]
Although popular with party members, he was not regarded as an effective organiser.[7] He contracted tuberculosis and in 1928, he became aware that he did not have long to live. He was compelled to scale back his role until his death in 1930.[2][7]
After Jones' death, Gwenallt composed "Breudduyd y Bardd" in his honour.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 John Davies et al, The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales, p.424
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Meic Stephens, The New Companion to the Literature of Wales, p.382
- ↑ D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, pp.26, 44
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, p.61
- ↑ D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, p.69
- ↑ "Forming Plaid Cymru", National Library of Wales Journal (1983)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, p.212
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by New position |
General Secretary of Plaid Cymru 1925–1930 |
Succeeded by John Edward Jones |
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