OLIVER, JOHN (1838 - 1866), poet

Born 7 November 1838 at White Hall, Llanfynydd, Carmarthenshire, and christened 18 November, the fourth child of John and Sarah Oliver. He received his early education at the village school (1843-50) and in a Carmarthen school (1850-3), and then determined to prepare himself for the Independent ministry. After a successful career from 1853 to 1859 in the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen, where he developed an acquaintance with English and German literature in particular, he was compelled by ill-health to abandon his plan of proceeding to Glasgow University. Thereafter, in failing health, he preached occasionally, composed poetry, mainly in Welsh, and gave private tuition to a small number of pupils. He died 24 June, 1866, and was buried on 28 June in Llanfynydd churchyard. His collected works were published in 1867 under the name Cerddi Cystudd by his brother, the Rev. Henry Oliver.

Author

• Hywel David Emanuel, (1921 - 1970)

Sources

• H. Oliver, Cerddi Cystudd sef gweddillion barddonol (Newport-on-Wye 1867) (with biographical preface)
• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (gives further references)
• E. Pan Jones, Oriel Coleg Presbyteraidd, Caerfyrddin: yn cynwys hanes yr holl fyfyrwyr fu yn y coleg o 1796 hyd 1899 (Merthyr Tydfil 1909), 80
• Josiah Thomas Jones, Geiriadur Bywgraffyddol o Enwogion Cymru (Aberdâr 1867-70), ii, 327
• The Records of the Church in Wales at the National Library of Wales (in N.L.W.)
• Walter J. Evans, NLW MS 10329B: Carmarthen Presbyterian College roll of students (163)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q18756845

Published date: 1959

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