CROWTHER, JOHN NEWTON (Glanceri; 1847 - 1928), schoolmaster

Born at Cornholme, near Todmorden, Lancashire, 19 November 1847, son of William Crowther and Anne Pickulls; and educated at Cornholme British school, the Vale Academy, Todmorden, and Bangor Normal College. On leaving Bangor in 1866 he secured the headship of Rhydlewis Board school, Cardiganshire. He married Sarah Lloyd, 19 November 1869. At Rhydlewis he gained a knowledge of Welsh, literary and colloquial, surpassed by few Welshmen. In 1890 Crowther moved to Bethesda, Caernarfonshire, to take charge of the Cefnfaes British school, one of the first schools in England and Wales to be converted to higher standard schools. His literary gifts and the felicity with which he translated Welsh poetry into English were remarkable. He was a frequent contributor in prose and verse to English and Welsh periodicals and newspapers, and also a musician of merit who contributed several musical compositions and Christmas carols to Cymru (O.M.E.). He took a lively interest in the politics of Cardiganshire and championed the Liberal cause with his pen, his election songs being very popular. He retired in 1924 and resided for a time at Cardiff, removing to Solva, Pembrokeshire, a few months before his death on 14 February 1928. A selection of his poems, Ar Lannau Ceri, was published in 1930.

Author

• Idwal Lewis

Sources

• The Welsh Gazette, 16 February 1928
• South Wales News, 15 February 1928

Works

• NLW Archives: Y Tir i'r Bobl

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20733573

Published date: 1959

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