OWEN, JOHN (died 1759), poet, harpist, letter-writer

nephew of the Morris family of Anglesey. Born probably at Holyhead during the early thirties of the 18th century (the parish records before 1737 are missing), the son of Owen Davies and Ellen Morris. When a young boy he went to live with Lewis Morris in Cardiganshire and rendered service to his uncle both in that county and subsequently in London in connection with the industrial undertakings and the litigation in which the latter was involved. A strained relationship developed between the two, however, and while in London John Owen associated with Richard Morris and assisted him in the preparation of Goronwy Owen's works for the press. About thirty of his letters survive in addition to some verse in the cywydd metre. In 1758 he was appointed clerk on a man-of-war, and he died of fever at Gibraltar in July 1759.

Author

• Professor Alfred Owen Hughes Jarman, (1911 - 1998)

Sources

• J. H. Davies (ed.), The Letters of Lewis, Richard, William, and John Morris, of Anglesey, (Morrisiaid Môn) 1728-1765 (1907–9), vol. I, vol. II
• Hugh Owen (ed.), Additional Letters of the Morrises of Anglesey (1735-86) (London 1947-9)
• Llythyrau at Ddafydd Jones o Drefriw (ed. G. J. Williams) (supplement to The National Library of Wales Journal, 1943), 33
• Llenyddiaeth Cymru o 1450 hyd 1600 (Lerpwl 1922), i, 60

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20733581

Published date: 1959

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