Evan James - Definition and Overview

Evan James (also known by the bardic name Ieuan ap Iago) (1809-1878), a weaver and poet from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, wrote the lyrics of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau ("Land of my Fathers"), the national anthem of Wales.

According to family legend, his son, James James, was walking one day in January 1856 on the banks of the river Rhondda and the melody for Hen Wlad fy Nhadau came to him. When he told his father of the tune, Evan James was able to compose words for the tune which is the present-day Welsh national anthem. Evan James was a weaver by trade.

A memorial to Evan James and his son, in the shape of two figures representing the muses of Poetry and Music, stands in Ynys Angharad Park, Pontypridd.

External links

• Hen wlad fy nhadau, the national anthem (http://www.llgc.org.uk/drych/drych_s044.htm) on the National Library of Wales (http://www.llgc.org.uk/) website.
• James Memorial in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd (http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=29668&t=1) from the Gathering the Jewels (http://www.gtj.org.uk/) website.