Llys Elen Egryn, Tywyn

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This block of residential apartments is named after poet Elen Egryn, the first woman to have book of her work published in Welsh.

She was born Elen (or Elinor) Evans in 1807 in Llanegryn, north of Tywyn. She was living in Machynlleth by 1850, when she came to prominence as author of the poetry book Telyn Egryn (telyn is Welsh for harp). Critics praised her grasp of the strict rules of Welsh poetry. Some said nobody could write sweeter verse.

In 1866 a columnist in the newspaper Y Gwladgarwr contrasted the paucity of female writers in Wales with the many in England and America, suggesting that this was not down to a shortage of intellectual talent but to neglect of girls’ education and the nurturing of their abilities. He cited Elen Egryn as an example of what women authors could achieve.

Elen spent the last year of her life living with her brother and sister-in-law at Chester House in Caerleon, near Newport. She died there in 1876 and was buried in the local cemetery.

In 1998 Telyn Egryn was republished by Honno, the Welsh women’s press.

Postcode: LL360AL    View Location Map