As it's St David's Day today, I thought I'd pay tribute to some great Welsh people (is there a word for that? Welshian? Welshite?) through the ages
St David: imagine my surprise when a quick check showed that St David was actually Welsh - I thought it was the done thing to adopt some foreign chap who'd never so much as heard of your country, never mind actually visited. Of Welsh royal lineage, and a prominent figure in church life, founding monastic orders and living a life of extreme asceticism.
Owain Glyndŵr: medieval chappie, the last Welsh Prince of Wales (once upon a time it meant something other than "one who is waiting for their parent to die"), and leader of a unsuccessful revolt against English rule. This involved the destruction of assorted English-appointed noble homes, a possible inspiration for future acts of Welsh rebellion.
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, or The Last: as the name indicates, was the last ruler of an independent Wales, finally being executed in 1282 as Edward I of England asserted control. As with the Stone of Destiny in Scotland in 1296, the symbols of monarchy were removed to Westminster. I guess Edward isn't any more popular in Wales than in Scotland then...
John Dee: mathematician, scientist, astronomer, occultist and alchemist, back in the days when such roles were perfectly compatible. He features somewhere in the conspiracy-tastic
Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco.
George Everest: Surveyor-General of India in the days of Empire, and the man after whom the Mountain is named. Not a bad way to be remembered really.
Bartholomew Roberts: early 18th century pirate, the most successful in terms of ships captured, with 456 to his name. Black Bart was his name, and plunder was his game. Arrrr!
David Lloyd George: the last ever (should I add to date? I doubt there's a need frankly) Liberal Prime Minister of Britain, a consummate politician whose desire for power and influence could be at the expense of his party and his principles if necessary. His rise to the highest office came in a coalition government during the first world war, and his continuation of this pact after the war may have been personally successful, but ripped the Liberal party to pieces. His major political crime was the selliing of peerages for profit, making the whole dubious process more blatant than is normally the case.
Bertrand Russell: right brainy chap. Mathematician, philosopher of great repute, pacifist and campaigner. Actively involved with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and Nobel Laureate for literature. One of the great thinkers of the last century.
Augustus John: artist, as was his sister Gwen, bohemian, and womaniser. He was known especially for his portraits of prominent figures of the day
Peg Entwhistle: aspiring film and theatre actress, who, disillusioned with her lack of a breakthrough, became the first person to commit suicide by leaping from the Hollywood sign (or Hollywoodland as it still was in 1932) .
T E Lawrence: or Lawrence of Arabia, as he has gone down in history. Author of
Seven Pillars of Wisdom and a prominent figure in the Arab Revolt during the First World War. A fascinating figure, his espionage work, his immersion in Arabic culture and his enigmatic private life continue to spark debate to this day.
Ivor Novello: the British matinee idol par excellence, Novello was a star of theatre, film and music, dominating the scene in the twenties and thirties. His name lives on in the yearly music awards.
Roald Dahl: every child's favourite writer, unless they're certifiably insane. The man behind
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and
James and the Giant Peach, as well as deliciously twisted short stories for the more mature amongst us.
Tales of the Unexpected indeed.
Dylan Thomas: quite possibly the greatest poet of the twentieth century. Liked a drink, or two, or twenty. Now off you go, and investigate his
life and works
Richard Burton: distinguished actor, or at least he was until the cheap thrill of fame got in the way. Known more for his tempestuous relationship with Elizabeth Taylor, and his drinking, than for his undoubted talent.
Aneurin Bevan: the Great Man of the Left, a politician of principles and the talent to enact them. The architect of the National Health Service which, despite it's often parlous state, is something we can all be grateful for.
Glynis Johns: actress in numerous films from the golden era of British cinema, and first equal with Joan Greenwood for the hotly contested "best female speaking voice" title (George Sanders is the winner in the male category, fact fans). That's as fine a reason for celebration as any.
Tom Jones: owner of the world's largest collection of knickers-thrown-on-a-stage, and occasional singer. Usually to be found these days duetting with someone at least half his age.
Russell T Davies: the writer behind
Queer As Folk,
Bob and Rose, and
The Second Coming. Oh, and some little show called
Doctor Who...
Bonnie Tyler: once upon a time there was light in her life, now there's only love in the dark. Eighties singer with a big husky voice, and even bigger hair.
John Humphrys: grumpy chap who can be found haranguing politicians on Radio Four of a morning. Never knowingly cheerful.
Charlotte Church: she's a "crazy" "chick" with dubious taste in men, and a permanent place in the UK tabloids and showbiz gossip mags. Oh, and apparently she sings a bit too.
