Famous Welsh Writers

This hub is dedicated to the celebration of Saint David's Day.

Wales is a small country in the United Kingdom. Even though it is a small component of a greater union, Wales has its own identity, its own music, its own literature. Despite its small size, Wales has made a large mark upon the world. It has been called home by many famous people, including some writers. Welsh authors (and there are quite a few) have produced some of the world's best loved poetry, fiction, and screenplays.

The Welsh authors I will be covering are Roald Dahl, Andrew Davies, and Dylan Thomas.

Born: September 13. 1916

Died: November 23, 1990

Roald Dahl was greatly loved as a children’s author. He wrote a good deal of adult short stories, but he is best known for his seventeen children’s stories. His children’s books are characterized as sympathetic with the feelings of children and are told with creativity and imagination.

Life:

Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales in 1916. His Norwegian parents named him after Roald Amundsen the explorer. Roald grew up speaking both Norwegian and English, and he often traveled to Norway for vacations. In 1920, Roald’s sister died of appendicitis and was shortly followed by their father who died of pneumonia. Roald was athletic in school and did well in squash and boxing. He grew up to be a tall six foot six. Before the War started, Roald worked in Tanzania for Shell Petroleum Company. When World War II broke out, Roald joined the Royal Air Force, becoming a flying ace. In 1942, he was transferred to Washington, D.C., where he wrote and published his first work after the prompting of C.S. Forester. In 1943, he wrote his first children’s book The Gremlins. But for the first years of his writing career, Roald Dahl principally wrote for adults. In 1953, he married actress Patricia Neal whom he met through Lillian Hellman. Roald and Patricia had five children. His children inspired Roald to write some of the most beloved children’s books of all time. In 1983, Roald and Patricia were divorced after Roald’s affair with Patricia’s friend, Felicity Crosland. Shortly after the divorce, Roald and Felicity were married. Roald Dahl died in 1990 of a rare blood disease.

Famous Works:

James and the Giant Peach (1961)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964)

Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970)

Danny, the Champion of the World (1975)

The Twits (1980)

George’s Marvelous Medicine (1981)

The BFG (1982)

Matilda (1988)

Born: September 20, 1936

Although Andrew Davies has written some fiction, he is best known for his screenwriting. Thousands have fallen in love with his film and television adaptions, some of which have been produced by BBC and aired on Masterpiece Theater.

Life:

Andrew Wynford Davies was born in Rhiwbina, Cardiff, Wales in 1936. He attended University College in London to study English, graduating in 1957. Andrew taught and lectured at schools and universities from 1958-1987. In 1964, Andrew Davies wrote his first radio play. He married Diana Huntley in 1960; they have two children.

Famous Works:

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Wives and Daughters (1999)

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

Doctor Zhivago (2002)

Brideshead Revisited (2008)

Sense and Sensibility (2008)

Little Dorrit (2008)

Born: October 27, 1914

Died: November 9, 1953

Dylan Thomas was a Welsh poet. His poetry is musical and beautifully written. Dylan Thomas was also known for his distinct voice in poetry readings and radio broadcasts.

Life:

Dylan Marlais Thomas was born in Swansea, South Wales. His parents raised him and his sister to speak English not Welsh. Dylan was a sickly and neurotic child who grew up with a great love for poetry and literature. He published his first poem in his school’s magazine. When he was 16, Dylan dropped out of school. He took up reporting and then acting. In 1934, his first collection of poetry was published. In 1937, Dylan married Caitlin MacNamara, a dancer and author of Leftover Life to Kill. Dylan and Caitlin had three children. When World War II began, Dylan was unable to be drafted due to “poor health”. He was known to be a heavy drinker. During the war, Dylan wrote scripts for war films and started to broadcast on the radio. His poetry readings and radio broadcasts were memorable because of his idiosyncratic voice. In the early 1950’s, Dylan traveled to America on speaking tours. In 1953, Dylan Thomas died of what appears to be complications of pneumonia and alcoholism, but his death has been the subject of much doubt and debate. He died while in America, but was taken home to be buried in Wales. There is plaque dedicated to Dylan Thomas in Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey.

Famous Works:

“And Death Shall Have No Dominion” (1933?)

“Fern Hill” (1946)

“In My Craft or Sullen Art” (1946)

“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” (1951)

“The Followers” (1952?)

Under Milk Wood (1954)

There are many famous people from Wales. Some other writers who are reportedly of Welsh descent are: