Thomas Edwards (author)

Thomas Edwards (Caerfallwch), (1779–1858), was a Welsh writer and lexicographer, born in Northop, Flintshire, Wales. He wrote an Analysis of Welsh Orthography and an English and Welsh Dictionary.

Thomas Edwards
Born	1779
Died	4 June 1858 London
Nationality	Welsh
Occupation	Author
Known for	English and Welsh Dictionary

Life and writings

At the age of 14, Edwards was apprenticed to a saddler named Birch, in whose family he cultivated his taste for Welsh-language literature. He married in 1801 or 1802. He moved to London and became a secretary to Nathaniel M. Rothschild.

In 1838 he was appointed together with five others, in connection with the Abergavenny Eisteddfod, to improve Welsh orthography. In 1845 he published his Analysis of Welsh Orthography. For many years he was a member of the Cymmrodorion and delivered several lectures there. One of them, entitled "Currency", later appeared in print. In addition, he was a frequent contributor to Welsh magazines.

Dictionary

Edwards's most notable work was his English and Welsh Dictionary, published by Evans of Holywell, Flintshire in 1850. A second edition appeared in 1864, and then another in the United States. It is considered by some to be the best dictionary of the Welsh language.[1]

Death

Thomas Edwards died at 10 Cloudesley Square, London, on 4 June 1858, and was interred in Highgate cemetery, near the top of the Western part.

References

1. Lewis, H., (1959). EDWARDS, THOMAS (Caerfallwch; c. 1779–1858), lexicographer. Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 22 Jul 2019, from https://biography.wales/article/s-EDWA-THO-1779

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Edwards, Thomas (1779-1858)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.