GRUFFYDD, WILLIAM JOHN

born Feb. 14, 1881, Bethel, Caernarvonshire, Wales died Sept. 29, 1954, Caernarvon Welsh-language poet and scholar whose works represented first a rebellion against Victorian standards of morality and literature and later a longing for the society he knew as a youth. Educated at the University of Oxford, Gruffydd was appointed professor of Celtic at University College in Cardiff, Wales, a position he held until his retirement in 1946. He edited the Welsh quarterly review Y Llenor (The Literary Man) from its inception in 1922 until 1951, when it was discontinued. His earliest work, with R. Silyn Roberts, the book of poems Telynegion (1900; Lyrics), naturalized the romantic lyric in Wales. Other works include Caneuon a Cherddi (1906; Songs and Poems), Llenyddiaeth Cymru o 1450 hyd 1600 (1922; History of Welsh Literature, 14501600), Ynys yr Hud (1923; The Enchanted Island), Caniadau (1932; Poems), and Antigone (verse tragedy, 1950).