Meirion Pennar

Dr Meirion Pennar (1944-2010) was a Welsh poet and academic, who translated two works of Welsh language literature.

Early life

Born in Cardiff, he was the eldest of five children born to theologian and writer, Dr Pennar Davies.^[1] Brought up in Bangor, Brecon and Swansea, he graduated with an honours degree in Welsh from Swansea University, and was then a research student at Jesus College, Oxford, where he gained his Phd.^[1][2]

Career

Pennar became a lecturer in Welsh in Dublin, and was then appointed lecturer in the Welsh Department, University of Wales, Lampeter from 1975.^[1] It was here that he specialised in medieval Welsh poetry and the Welsh novel in the 19th Century, completing his translations of Book of Taliesin poems and The Black Book of Carmarthen,^[3] both of which remain in print. He also published two volumes of poetry, Syndod y Sêr and Pair Dadeni, and two long poems, Saga and Y Gadwyn. He resigned his position at Lampter in 1993.^[2]

A language and political campaigner in the 1970s with the Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society), he became a political columnist with Y Ddraig Goch, and was a parliamentary candidate for Plaid Cymru in the Swansea West constituency.

Personal life

Pennar lived in Llandysul, Adpar, and Newcastle Emlyn, during which period he had a son.^[2] He returned in 2000 to Swansea to care for his ageing mother and younger brother, Geraint. It was here on died on 17 December, 2010.^[1][2]

Publications

• Syndod y sêr. Llyfrau'r Dryw. March 1971. ISBN 0853391122. 
• Pair Dadeni. Llanerch Press. March 1978. ISBN 0850884586. 
• Poems by Taliesin. Llanerch Press. December 1988. ISBN 0947992243. 
• The Black Book of Carmarthen. Llanerch Press. August 1989. ISBN 0947992316. 
• Peredur: Arthurian Romance from the Mabinogion. Llanerch Press. February 1991. ISBN 0947992545. 
• The Battle of the Trees: Cad Goddeu. Tern Press. 1992. ASIN B001OOX9EU. 

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Poet and Welsh works translator Meirion Pennar dies". BBC Wales. 17 December, 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12023968. Retrieved 2010-12-19. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Steve Dube (18 December, 2010). "Academic and poet Meirion Pennar dies at 65". Western Mail. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/12/18/academic-and-poet-meirion-pennar-dies-at-65-91466-27846677/. Retrieved 2010-12-19. 
3. ^ Meirion Pennar (August 1989). The Black Book of Carmarthen. Llanerch Press. ISBN 0947992316. 

Persondata
Name	Pennar, Meirion
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1944
Place of birth	Cardiff
Date of death	17 December, 2010
Place of death	Swansea