Poet and political activist to be honoured with blue plaque

A poet, literary critic and political activist will be honoured with a blue plaque in Swansea later this summer.

Swansea Council has confirmed that the life and achievements of Saunders Lewis will be marked with a blue plaque outside his former home in the Uplands area of the city.

Lewis, born in 1893, was a prominent Welsh nationalist and a founding member of Plaid Cymru. He was also a 1970 Nobel nominee for literature who came 10th in a BBC Wales poll of 2005 to name Wales’ greatest-ever person.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “Although there are still some details to be finalised, it’s our intention to unveil a blue plaque for Saunders Lewis in Swansea later this summer.

“His achievements in poetry, politics, drama, history and literature mean he’s thoroughly deserving of the recognition.

“Lewis will be the latest in a number of Swansea people and places we’ve honoured with blue plaques in recent years as we continue to celebrate the city’s rich heritage.”

Other blue plaques in the pipeline include St Helen’s for the enormous contribution it’s made to Welsh cricket over the years. Consideration is also being given to honouring painter and print-maker Ceri Richards with a blue plaque.
Richards, born in Dunvant in 1903, was head of painting at the Cardiff School of Art during the Second World War. Many of his works are in the Tate Britain collection.

Other blue plaque recipients who could follow include John Hughes and Daniel James, the men behind Welsh hymn Calon Lan. Hughes, who died in 1914, is buried in the graveyard of Caersalem Newydd Welsh Baptist Chapel in Treboeth. James, who died in 1920, is buried at Mynyddbach Cemetery.

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “We look forward to unveiling more blue plaques in future. There’s already quite a collection in place in Swansea, giving local people and visitors the chance to learn more about the city’s fascinating history by following a trail.”

Other blue plaque recipients in Swansea include singer Pete Ham, suffragette Emily Phipps and polar explorer Edgar Evans.

Have a look at www.swansea.gov.uk/blueplaques for more information about the blue plaques and their locations.