Emrys ap Iwan

Emrys ap Iwan (1848-1906), was born Robert Ambrose Jones in Abergele, Conwy (then Denbighshire). He was a literary critic and writer on politics and religion. He is ofter seen as one of the most important forerunners of modern Welsh nationalism.

After working in a shop in Liverpool for a time he trained at Bala Theological College and was ordained a minister of the Calvinistic Methodist church in 1883. He then served as a pastor to churches in the Ruthin area for the rest of his life.

Politically Emrys ap Iwan was a fervent advocate of Welsh nationalism and believed in self-government for Wales within a federal system of government.