Hywel Teifi Edwards dies aged 75
6th January 2010
Tributes have been paid to a historian and author who helped to shape Wales' sense of national identity.
Hywel Teifi Edwards died on Monday (January 4th) at the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice in Llanelli after suffering a short illness. The 75-year-old was the father of journalist Huw Edwards.
The historian wrote several several books on the Victorian age in Wales, as well as titles such as The National Pageant of Wales 1909, and spearheaded campaigns to protect the Welsh language.
Edwards also edited a ten-book series about the valleys of Wales, including volumes such as Cwm Cynon, Merthyr a Thaf and Cyfres Y Cymoedd.
Paying tribute, Welsh heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones said that few scholars have been able to examine the history, culture and literature of the country in such an informative way as Edwards and applauded him for boosting the sense of national identity.
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Plaid Cymru's leader and president, added: 'He was not only a world-class historian and academic, a prolific author and commentator, but also an extremely proud Welshman.'
Edwards was also lauded for his 'immense contribution to the life of the nation' by Menna Machreth Jones, chair of the Welsh Language Society.