Writers’ Plaques

On these pages Academi will display details of the plaques around Wales that commemorate its writers. The Rhys Davies Trust, with the support of the Academi, is responsible for erecting the majority of these plaques. These have all been made by Ieuan Rees whose calligraphy and carving are renowned. The material used is Welsh slate and the lettering is in silver paint. Academi and the Trust believe the series reminds local communities of the writers born in their area and provides a focal point for admirers of the writers' work.

There are also a number of other public memorials for writers across Wales. There is one to Howard Spring on his house in Canton, Cardiff. He was first employed in Cardiff before the First World War. Dafydd ap Gwilym, of course, is marked at Ystrad Fflur. The tradition may be older that that. A BBC Wales story in 2005 noted that plaques for three Welsh writers - Walter Davies, Robert Ellis and John Hughes - were being restored after being found in a skip in north Wales. Walter Davies - Gwallter Mechain - was one of the founding fathers of provincial eisteddfodau. Born in Llanfechain, he was vicar of Manafon and later of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant from 1837 until his death in 1849. Robert Ellis – Cynddelw - was a writer, a poet and a Baptist minister. Born in Penybont Fawr, in 1812, he died in 1875. The third, John Hughes, tutored Ann Griffiths the hymn writer.

However, it is becoming apparent there must be many more writers commemorated around Wales – not in graveyards but with plaques and memorials and wallplates. Academi would like to compile a list of who is marked where, make a trail, set the footprints out so that the interested can revisit old friends. Academi would be delighted to hear from anyone who can help us build a complete list of writers' memorials in Wales. Tell us who is where.

You can contact Academi on 029 2047 2266 or post@academi.org

Please click on the list below to view details of the writers and their plaques: