Thomas Hughes Jones

Thomas Hughes Jones (23 January 1895 – 11 Mai 1966) was a Welsh poet and writer from Ceredigion (Cardiganshire) in West Wales. He wrote several collections of stories and contributed to various journals, including Welsh Outlook, throughout his career. In 1940 he won the Literature Medal for his story, "Sqweier Hafila", at the National Eisteddfod. His pen name was generally abbreviated to "T. Hughes Jones".

His name is inscribed on the memorial to the poets of Mynydd Bach.

Jones was born in Blaenpennal to Rhys Jones and Ann Hughes along with his younger sister, Jane. His mother died when he was six and his father subsequently moved the family to Blaen Aeron Farm. A local poet, John Rowlands, lived at the neighbouring farm and began to teach young Tom cynghanedd, a traditional form of Welsh poetry. Together they entered local eisteddfodau where Jones' work - in recitation and composition - was generally successful.

Jones studied at the local school, Ysgol Tanygarreg, and became noted for his academic achievements and his ready answers. At a suggestion from the headmaster, his father moved him to the county school in Tregaron, where he became known as 'Tom Bardd' ('Poet Tom'). He soon after won his first chair at the Llanddewi Brefi eisteddfod in 1913 at the age of 17. He later won three additional chairs at eisteddfodau in Tregaron, Ysbyty Ystwyth and Rhydcymerau before he was 25 years of age.

Jones attended University College of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1913 and matriculated in 1916 with second-class honours in Welsh. He continued writing during his time at university, contributing frequently to Y Wawr, which he also edited in 1915-16, and later to The Dragon - both university periodicals. His studies were interrupted by the war in 1916, when he served in France with the Welsh Guards, but he resumed his studies upon his returned and finished an M.A. in 1922. His thesis is entitled, 'Social life in Wales in the eighteenth century as illustrated in its popular literature of the period'.

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