Ann Griffiths

A Methodist hymn writer regarded as one of the most important female figures in the history of Welsh literature.

Born:

1776

Place of Birth:

Llanfihangel yng Ngwynfa near Llanfyllin

Trivia:

Before her conversion, Ann was a regular visitor at the Efail Llwydiarth tavern between Llangadfan and Llanfyllin - a popular place for a night out of singing, story-telling or dancing.

Biography:

Ann Griffiths lived during the 18th century religious revival in Wales, and is remembered for her hymns and letters.

Ann was born in a farmhouse called Dolwar Fach in the small rural village of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, near Llanfyllin in Powys. Her mother died when Ann was only 17 years old and she took over the domestic running of the farm.

Although she was brought up in the Anglican Church, Ann followed her brother to the Methodist movement after hearing the Rev. Benjamin Jones of Pwllheli preach in Llanfyllin in 1796.

By 1798, Dolwar Fach had become one of the main Methodist preaching centres and was officially declared as a place of worship in 1803.

Ann's father died in February 1804 and in October of the same year, she married Thomas Griffiths, a farmer from the parish of Meifod and an elder with the Methodists.

She gave birth to her only child in July 1805 but her daughter died two weeks later. Ann herself died shortly afterwards and was buried on 12 August 1805 at Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa. She was only 29.

Hymns and Letters
Her lasting legacy has been the 70 hymns and eight letters which she left behind, all showing her vision and her awareness of the human and spiritual experience.

Of the eight letters that have survived, seven are copies of letters sent to leading Methodist preacher John Hughes of Pontrobert between 1800 and 1804.

The eighth is from the same period but is the only surviving letter written by Ann herself. On display today at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, this letter was written to Elizabeth - the sister of Ruth Evans, a maid at Dolwar Fach who later married John Hughes.

Personal Spiritual Expression
It wasn't until around 1802 that Ann began writing hymns and poetry. She would recite her compositions to her maid, Ruth Evans, on their long walks from Dolwar Fach to Bala to attend religious services. She only wrote a few of her verses on paper, and only one hymn has survived in her hand writing.

These hymns were her personal spiritual expression, and it is assumed that she didn't intend for them to be sung as congregational hymns. Whether intended for publication or not, it has been noted on several occasions that Ann Griffiths was the only other Welsh hymn writer able to match the intensity and power of William Williams. "Dyma babell y cyfarfod . . .", "O! am gael ffydd i edrych . . ." and "Wele'n sefyll rhwng y myrtwydd . . ." are among some of her best hymns.

Ann's main influence was the Scripture. She indoctrinated herself in the Bible, and her work is full of references to the Scriptures.

Following Ann's death in 1805, Ruth recited the hymns to her husband who wrote them down on paper. A year later, her hymns (from Ruth's memory) were published by the Rev Thomas Charles as "Casgliad o Hymnau" (Collection of Hymns).

When he was enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury in February 2003, Dr Rowan Williams chose one of Ann Griffiths' hymns - "Yr Arglwydd Iesu" (The Lord Jesus") - to be sung at the service. He translated the hymn himself and it's thought to be the first time an archbishop's own work formed part of his enthronement service.

Ann Griffiths walk...

A celebration of the life of Ann Griffiths...

your comments

Beryl Davies
Adam - Ann's father was John Evan Thomas, also known as Siôn Ifan Thomas.
Mon Jan 14 08:41:26 2008

Clive Cotton, Warwickshire
I'd never heard of Ann Griffiths until I read the great eponymous poem R. S. Thomas wrote about her. Thank you for identifying her for me.
Thu Aug 23 16:13:29 2007

E. Wyn James
A list of her hymns is to be found on the Ann Griffiths Website (www.anngriffiths.cardiff.ac.uk)

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

Mon Apr 23 09:41:25 2007

Chris Ellis from Sarnau
I love poetry, Phil Carr was an inspiration to me in school. He introduced me to such literature as Silas Marner, The Tempest and some of wordsworths finest poetry. The romantics acts really are an inspiration to my life.
Thu Feb 22 10:26:19 2007

Rev. Helene Mann, Dunedin, New Zealand
I studied Ann Griffiths for my MA in Celtic Christianity, Univ. of Wales, Lampeter, and find her so inspiring. I was able to be present for the 200th anniversary of her death in Pont Robert and Dolwar Fach last year. I am hoping to visit again this year.
Tue Apr 25 17:24:07 2006

R. E.Jones, Machynlleth
Very interesting - the more one reads into the history of the area and about Ann Griiffiths it becomes apparent and sad that maybe she knew because of her illness she had to compose these hymns quickly before her death. The birth of her daughter weakened her condition and tragically both baby and mother died within a very short period.
Fri Sep 16 12:01:44 2005

Adam van Doorninck from Barry
Very interesting to learn about this lady's rare contribution to Welsh literature - I know her married surname was Griffiths, but was it also her family name at birth? If not, I'd like to know what her father's surname was.
Fri Aug 12 12:48:39 2005

Mary Attwell o Tennessee
I was born in Dolanog and am always surprised that no mention is made of the Ann Griffiths chapel in Dolanog.
Thu Aug 11 18:36:43 2005

R Thornton Gorseinon Swansea
Thankyou very much - my mother has been desperate to find out about Anne Griffiths and would like to visit her birth place. She now has an address to visit!
Thu Jun 2 19:12:34 2005

Rheinallt
D Llewellyn is spot on, and, list of hymns really is essential.

Get in touch and help us compile a list of Ann Griffiths' hymns.
Mon Apr 18 11:42:53 2005

D Llewellyn
Excellent entry but would appreciate a list of the hymns Anne wrote.

For more information about Ann Griffiths and her work take a look at the BBC's Religion in Wales pages and follow the appropriate links.
Mid Wales Web Team
Thu Feb 10 14:37:11 2005

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