T. Llew Jones

Thomas Llewelyn Jones (born October 11, 1915) is a Welsh language writer who over a writing career of more than 50 years has been one of the most prolific and popular authors of children's books in Welsh. He writes, and is generally known, as T. Llew Jones.

Jones was born at 1 Bwlch Melyn Pentrecwrt, Carmarthenshire. Educated at Llandysul Grammar School, he was a primary school teacher in various schools in Ceredigion for 35 years before becoming a full-time writer, first at Tregroes Primary School and then at Ysgol Coedybryn near Llandysul where he became headmaster. He first came to prominence as a poet, winning the chair at the National Eisteddfod in 1958 and then again in 1959.

He has continued to write poetry, both for adults and children, but is best known as a writer of adventure and detective novels for children. Many of these are historical novels based on the exploits of persons such as Bartholomew Roberts and Twm Sion Cati. He has published well over 50 books in total, including books for adults as well as children. Some of these are non-fiction titles, for example "Ofnadwy Nos" is an account of the wrecking of the Royal Charter, and he has also written a chess manual together with his son, Iolo. Some of his books have been translated into English and a number have been adapted for television.

He was awarded an honorary MA degree by the University of Wales in 1977 and in 1991 he was awarded the Mary Vaughan Jones prize, given for outstanding contributions to children's literature in Wales. In March 2005, aged nearly 90, he won the chair in Cymdeithas Ceredigion's annual Eisteddfod.

References

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/4330480.stm Interview from BBC News on October 11, 2005]