Waldo Williams

Waldo (Goronwy) Williams (30 September 1904 – 20 May 1971) was one of the leading Welsh-language poets of the twentieth century. He was also a notable pacifist, anti-war campaigner and Welsh nationalist.

Life

Williams was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. His father, a primary school teacher from Pembrokeshire, spoke Welsh and his mother spoke English and in his early years he himself spoke only English.

Related Topics:
Haverfordwest - Pembrokeshire - Welsh - English

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In 1911 his father was appointed headteacher of the primary school at Mynachlog-ddu, Pembrokeshire and it was there that Waldo Williams learnt to speak Welsh. In 1915 Williams's father moved to be headteacher of the primary school at Llandysilio, Pembrokeshire.

Related Topics:
Mynachlog-ddu - Pembrokeshire

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After attending the Grammar School at Narberth, Pembrokeshire he studied at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth where he graduated in English in 1926. Afterwards he trained as a teacher and worked in various schools in Pembrokeshire, the rest of Wales and England. He also taught night classes organised by the Department of Extre-Mural Studies, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Related Topics:
Narberth - Pembrokeshire - University College of Wales, Aberystwyth - Wales - England

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Williams married in 1941, but his wife died in 1943, and he did not remarry.

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During the Korean War he refused to pay his income tax on pacifist grounds. He continued his protest until the ending of compulsory military service in 1963. During his campaigning he was sent to prison.

Related Topics:
Korean War - Pacifist - Military service

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He died in 1971 at St. Thomas's Hospital, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

Related Topics:
1971 - Haverfordwest - Pembrokeshire

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