BLAYNEY, THOMAS (1785 -?), harpist

Name: Thomas Blayney
Date of birth: 1785
Parent: Letitia Blayney
Parent: Arthur Blayney
Gender: Male
Occupation: harpist
Area of activity: Eisteddfod; Music; Performing Arts
Author: Robert David Griffith

Born at Tyn-y-coed, Llanllwchaiarn, Montgomeryshire, the son of Arthur and Letitia Blayney. He won the prize (a silver harp and thirty guineas) in the Carmarthen eisteddfod of 1819. Thomas Price (Carnhuanawc) says that Blayney was the first whom he heard playing on the triple-harp; he also testifies to his renown as a harpist.

He kept a public-house at Lydney North, near Walcot, the Shropshire seat of lord Powis; in 1829 he became family harpist to the household of lord Powis but died shortly afterwards, although the exact year of his death has not been ascertained. His brother, ARTHUR BLAYNEY, became well-known as a violinist.

Author

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/

The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is provided by The National Library of Wales and the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. It is free to use and does not receive grant support. A donation would help us maintain and improve the site so that we can continue to acknowledge Welsh men and women who have made notable contributions to life in Wales and beyond.

Find out more on our sponsorship page.