LLOYD, WILLIAM (1786 - 1852), musician

Born at Rhos-goch, Llaniestyn, Llŷn, in 1786; there is a tradition that he was a cattle-drover. The family was musical, and Lloyd himself went around Llŷn holding music classes and conducting hymnody-festivals; he also gave instruction to people who visited him at his home. He composed many hymn-tunes, but the tune with which his name is most widely associated is the dignified tune now known as ' Meirionydd,' which appears not only in all the Welsh hymnals, but also in such collections as Songs of Praise. In a manuscript book which belonged to Lloyd himself it is called ' Berth,' and it was under that name that it first appeared in print, in Caniadaeth Seion (1840) published by Richard Mills. Lloyd died, according to his tombstone in Llaniestyn churchyard, on 7 June 1852, aged 66.

Author

• Emeritus Professor Robert Thomas Jenkins, (1881 - 1969)

Sources

• J. Jones ('Myrddin Fardd'), Enwogion Sir Gaernarfon (1922), 253
• P. Dearmer and A. Jacob, Songs of Praise Discussed a handbook to the best-known hymns and to others recently introduced (London 1933)
• Ifor L. Evans (ed.), Mawl yr Oesoedd. Casgliad o donau ac emynau (Cardiff 1951)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20821242

Published date: 1959

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