Eben Fardd Papers

The Eben Fardd material consists of a school exercise book, 1815, a diary, 1831-1833 and several manuscripts including an essay on Noah and his descendents, poetry, copies of works by English writers and notes including quotations and comments relating to the Report of the Commissioners of Inquiry into the State of Education in Wales, 1847. Also included are letters from Eben Fardd to various recipients, 1853 - 1862, in which he refers to his sick son and the illness of his wife. A copy will, 1863, along with a letter appointing William Jones, Clynnog Fawr his executor. A print and photograph of Eben Fardd and a New Testament presented to a John D. Jones in 1844 with an inscribed poem by Eben Fardd. Photocopies of letters from Rev. Morris Williams to William Jones regarding the publication of the work of Eben Fardd, 1865.

One item, an exercise book, is in the hand of James E. Thomas. It includes details of a voyage from England to Madeira in the Urania by the Commander, J. E. Thomas.

Ebenezer Thomas, better known as Eben Fardd, poet, was born in 1802 in Llanarmon, Caernarfonshire. Coming from a poor background and having led a drunken existence, he settled in Clynnog Fawr and became a schoolmaster, and later a grocer.

He won several Eisteddfod chairs for his epic Welsh poems. He had a son, James E. Thomas and two daughters. He died in 1863.

For further biographical details consult Eben Fardd by E. G. Millward (1988).

Incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts

Open to all users.

Acquired from various sources including W. H. Roberts (Iseifion), O. V. Jones and T. H. Glyn Hughes of Wrexham.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, August 2002.

Item level typescript catalogues are available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers : General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 368-370A, 2118, 7284, 15101-15102, 15104-15105, 27281-27282, 32440-32441, 36121

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

Also held at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor are the Sion Wyn and Eben Fardd Letters. Consult the Archives Hub for a collection level description.

An article in Y Casglwr, August 1983 contains references to the print and photograph of Eben Fardd. William Jones published the work of Eben Fardd in 1873, entitled Gweithiau Barddonol.