Geraint Bowen

From grammar school at Aberaeron, he went on to study at University College, Cardiff. After graduating in 1938 in economics and politics, he went on to take an MA in Celtic Studies at the University of Liverpool. Bowen's doctoral thesis was a study of recusant literature in south-east and north-east Wales, and he wrote extensively on this subject and other aspects of Welsh religious history during his academic career. Amongst works published by Bowen were an edition of the recusant Robert Gwyn's Gwssanaeth y gwyr newydd (1970), an edition of Y Drych Kristnogawl (1996) and a history of the Welsh Mormons during the nineteenth century, Ar Drywydd y Mormoniaid (1999). Despite his interest in religious literature and history, he was an avowed atheist. He was an outspoken Welsh nationalist, and during the Second World War became a conscientious objector, working in farming as an alternative to military service. He stood against Labour, as Plaid Cymru candidate for Wrexham in the 1950 General Election. In 1944, he came to live with his parents in Towynfa in New Quay, where Dylan Thomas was temporarily living in house called Majoda; it has been speculated that Bowen's father, Orchwy, was the inspiration for the Reverend Eli Jenkins in Under Milk Wood. In 1946, Bowen won the bardic chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Mountain Ash, for his "Awdl Foliant i'r Amaethwr", In 1977 he became editor of Y Faner, and from 1978 to 1981 he presided over the Eisteddfod ceremonies as Archdruid. In 1947, he married the author, translator and activist, Zonia Margarita North. They had two sons and two daughters.

• Awdl Foliant i'r Amaethwr • Cân yr Angylion • T. Gwynn Jones (Y Bardd Celtaidd) • Cwm Llynor • Y Drewgoed • Cywydd y Coroni • Yr Aran • Prynhawnddydd • Dr. Gwenan Jones • Teyrnged i Gwyndaf • Cyfarch Bro Myrddin • Ar Doriad Gwawr • Branwen

• O Groth y Ddaear (1993)