Daniel Owen

Welsh writer famous for novels such as 'Rhys Lewis' and 'Enoc Huws'

Born:

1836

Died:

1895

Place of Birth:

Mold

School:

Ponterwyl School and The Methodist College, Bala

Biography:

Said by many to be Wales' first great novelist, Owen came to writing quite by chance.

Born the youngest of six children, young Daniel Owen was born into poverty and hardship in 19th century Mold. He never knew his father or two brothers for theirs was a mining family and the three died along with 28 others in a pit flood at Argoed Colliery, Mold, when Owen was a babe in arms.

Despite the hardship endured by his mother, Sally Owen, young Daniel grew to a young man at the family's terraced home at now-demolished Maes-y-dre, Mold, and went on to become an apprentice tailor to Angell Jones at a shop on Castell Street, Mold, and later High Street.

Jones was to have a big influence on the apprentice for he was a member of the Welsh Methodist Church and Owen began prearching before eventually leaving the shop after 10 years' service to study for the ministry at the age of 24. He returned to the tailor's shop within two years and continued preaching. His sermons were printed in periodicals which earned him local acclaim.

Owen - who opened a tailors with a partner on New Street, Mold - today it's the site of Y Pentan pub - became a high-class tailor and also became known for his teachings. The publication Country Quest (Vol 30 No 8 January 1990) - available from Mold Library which boasts The Daniel Owen Memorial Room complete with Owen's tailor's re-created - says that after preaching at Llangollen Owen was taken ill, never to fully recover and he stopped giving sermons.

Instead preacher Rev Roger Edwards - who was editor of the denominational Y Drysorfa - encouraged Owen to focus on his writing.

Owen had several books published, including Y Dreflan and Hunangofiant Rhys Lewis in which characters were said to be based on those around him in Mold.

Hunangofiant Rhys Lewis was first produced as a book in 1885 which is widely seen as his best-known work. He wrote several other works and went on to become the first chairman of Mold's Urban District Council in 1894. From humble beginnings, Owen was able to have a home built for his mother and he lived in a flat in New Street, Mold. He died in 1895 and is buried at Mold Cemetery. A statue stands in his memory next to Mold Library, Earl Street.

your comments

Colin Squires now in West Sussex
Having spoken to my elder brother he reliably informs me that our grandmother Lottie Hill nee Owen was Daniel Owen's niece.
Thu Nov 1 12:23:23 2007

Colin Squires from West Sussex
Yesterday I stated that my grandmother, Charlotte Hill nee Owen, was Daniel Owen's aunt, she was not, she was in fact his cousin.
Wed Oct 31 16:46:28 2007

Colin Squires from West Sussex
My grandmother, nee Charlotte Owen, was Daniel Owen's aunt. She had 2 brothers and a sister, all are now deceased so I, my 2 brothers and my sister must be some of the few relatives of Daniel Owen. Incidentally I have read the English version of Rhys Lewis which I found excellent.
Wed Oct 31 10:14:55 2007

Avril Hayden from Bae Penrhyn
Am desperate to read Daniel Owen in English. My Welsh is not yet up to a level where reading will be a pleasure. I realise quite a lot will be lost in translation. Where can I get copies of his work?
Tue Aug 7 13:36:28 2007

Gerti, Mold
My mate used to live in the Y Pen Tan pub in Mold where she said she saw Daniel Owen standing at the top of the stairs and now when we talk about him it's 'do you remember when I saw...' :D
Mon Jun 18 08:21:09 2007

Cheryl Joinson - New Brighton, Mold
For those looking for family links with Daniel Owen - I have carried out extensive research into Daniel Owen and his family. I hope this helps you with your research.
Daniel died without ever marrying or having any children but he had 6 siblings only 2 of which married:
Thomas (bapt. 11/6/1821) who died aged 16 in the Argoed Hall pit disaster.
Leah (bapt. 22/2/1824) who died in 1890 unmarried.
Robert (bapt. 3/6/1826) died aged 11 in Argoed Hall pit disaster.
Dafydd (b. 3/5/1828) married Charlotte (c1867) and had two children Norma (b. c1868) and Charlotte(b. c1870).
Catherine (bapt. 12/3/1831) married and moved to Manchester (no record of any chidlren but further inquiries to be sought) died c1902.
John (b. 5/6/1835) died aged 6 months.
Contact me via these pages if you need any further info.
Wed Jun 6 17:25:36 2007

Mary Williams, Beddgelert
I'm a Welsh learner (Meistroli level) and hope to compete in the learners' section of the Eisteddfod to be held in Mold this (2007) summer. One section (no. 124) requires one to read a section from Owen's novel 'Rhys Lewis' i.e. the chapter called 'Y Cyfarfod Plant' (the Children's Meeting). It's worth learning Welsh just for the honour of being able to participate! By the way there are English translations of his work available.
Tue Mar 13 08:12:15 2007

gareth wyn owen perth western australia
i was born in greenfield in 1956 & have 3 brothers & 2 sisters. we emigrated in 1970. my dads name is meirion & my uncle ( neville owen) resides in prestatyn. my dads uncle was owen owen, he was the mayor of prestatyn (dates not known). If there is any connection i would love to know.
Mon Dec 11 09:32:05 2006

Jan Miller from Whitford
Why can't we get hold of his books any more? They have been out of print, certainly in English translation, for decades. Isn't it time we reprinted them? I have used some quotations from archive copies in my own book 'A Country Diary for North Wales' and given more details.
Fri Sep 1 10:29:35 2006

Kathleen Hughes, Wrexham
My grandfather was a cousin to Daniel Owen. My late grandfather was born in Mold. He died on coronation day. He used to tell my mother that he remembered Daniel sitting sewing in his tailor shop window in Mold. I am very proud to be a third cousin to the great Daniel Owen.
Fri Aug 25 09:33:25 2006

Alan Jones, Manchester
I have been tracing my family history and discovered my great great grand father was born at Maesydre in 1844, thus being a neighbour of Daniel. Can anybody help with any information on him and his family? His name was Edward Jones, his father was called William Jones and his wife Jane formerly Williams.
Tue Jul 11 09:32:43 2006

Coral Linden Lloyd, Sydney, Australia
My name is Coral Linden Lloyd and I live in Sydney Australia. I have just found a death notice of a Mrs John Owen dated 11th March, 1924 at White House, Rhostyllen. I am supposed to be related to this family. My question is does anyone know if her husband John Owen is related to Daniel Owen? Her service was held by the Reverend John Owen. I know this is a long shot but any news would be good.
Mon Jun 26 09:50:47 2006

Abbie from Mold
It's amazing that Daniel Owen went 2 the place (college bala) where I lived in cysgod y bala!
Mon Jun 5 09:44:07 2006

Dafydd
Lloyd george never knew my father but my great great grandmother(?)lived in Maes y dre and i assume her kids went to school with Daniel.
Wed May 17 07:42:52 2006

Daniel Owen Staffs
I'm a Daniel Owen too. I live in Staffs, but half my family live in north Wales- mum's side though, so that's not where the name is from! One day I will trace my family tree and hopefully find a link! I'm an English teacher, so to have a namesake famous writer- in a language I don't speak- is really frustrating!
Mon Feb 6 20:52:48 2006

Wil
Terry I suggest you write to Siop y Siswrn in Mold for an up to date list of top boy Danny's works in English. They are out there they just need a bit of tracking down.
Thu Feb 2 13:58:13 2006

Terry Suffolk
Where can I get Daniel Owen's books? Read them in school but that was a LONG time ago!
Wed Feb 1 21:55:51 2006

Gwen
Daniel- Daniel Owen Snrs works were all published in English as well as Welsh but they do lose a lot in translation, especially the sparkling dialogue, banter and wit.
Thu Jan 26 12:21:07 2006

Daniel Owen- Staffs
Anyone know if my namesake's books can be read in English. Mys welsh isn't up to a whole novel.
Sun Nov 27 22:13:39 2005

Enoc
Daniel Owen wrote for the people and was loved by the people. Top Mold boy without peer before or since.
Fri Nov 11 12:06:46 2005

Big Ben - Mold
Amazing founder of Mold. It's a good job he isn't still here to see what we have turned his beloved town into!
Tue Jun 21 13:20:13 2005

Rhys Lewis Dreflan
Daniel Owen? Top banana
Thu May 19 10:23:35 2005

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