Thomas Edwards (author)

Thomas Edwards (Caerfallwch), (1779–1858), was a Welsh writer and lexicographer, born in Northop in Flintshire, Wales.

Life and writings

At the age of fourteen Edwards was apprenticed to a saddler named Birch, in whose family he cultivated his taste for Welsh-language literature. He married in 1801 or 1802. He moved to London and became a secretary to Nathaniel M. Rothschild.

In 1838 he was appointed together with five others, in connection with the Abergavenny Eisteddfod, to improve the Welsh orthography. In 1845 he published his Analysis of Welsh Orthography. For many years he was a member of the Cymmrodorion and delivered several lectures there. One of them, entitled "Currency", later appeared in print. In addition, he was a frequent contributor to Welsh magazines.

Dictionary

Edwards's most notable work was his English and Welsh Dictionary, published by Evans of Holywell, Flintshire, in 1850. A second edition appeared in 1864, and another, later, in the United States. It is considered by some to be the best dictionary of the Welsh language.

Death

Thomas Edwards died at 10 Cloudesley Square, London, on 4 June 1858, and was interred in Highgate cemetery.

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Edwards, Thomas (1779-1858)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.