Ellis Wynne

Ellis Wynne (7 March 1671 – 13 July 1734) was a Welsh clergyman and author of one of the most important and influential pieces of Welsh language literature.

Born in Lasynys Fawr (grid reference SH596327) near Harlech, Gwynedd, Wynne excelled at school and entered Jesus College, Oxford on 1 March 1692. There is historical debate as to whether or not he graduated, and little evidence to support either claim, but local tradition suggests that he was studying law before he was convinced to take holy orders by his friend Humphrey Humphreys, Bishop of Bangor and, afterwards, of Hereford. Wynne married for the first time in Llanfihangel-y-traethau Church in 1698. He was ordained a priest in December 1704. During his life, he was priest of the parishes of Llandanwg, Llanbedr and Llanfair.

Although a respected priest, Welsh translator and hymn writer (a translation of Jeremy Taylor's Holy Living appeared in London, 1701, republished 1928), Wynne is remembered today largely because of his literary output.

His Gweledigaetheu y Bardd Cwsc (Visions of the Sleeping Bard), first published in London in 1703 was an adaptation of Sir Roger L'Estrange's translation of the Spanish satirist Francisco de Quevedo's Sueños (1627; "Visions"), savage pictures of contemporary evils. It is regarded as a Welsh language classic. It is generally said that no better model exists of such "pure" idiomatic Welsh, before writers had become influenced by English style and method. At least 32 editions of it had appeared up to 1932, and at least three translations of it into English were made.

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