Blue plaque unveiled for Saunders Lewis

An eminent political activist, writer and literary critic will be forever remembered in his home city.

Swansea Council has unveiled a blue plaque for Saunders Lewis close to the area of Hanover Street in Uplands where he lived with his father in the early 20th century.

Lewis, born in 1893, was a prominent Welsh nationalist and a founding member of Plaid Cymru. A former lecturer in Welsh at Swansea University, he was also a Nobel nominee for literature in 1970.

In 2005, Lewis came tenth in BBC poll to name Wales’ greatest-ever person.

Cllr David Hopkins, Lord Mayor of Swansea, unveiled the plaque in Lewis’ honour.

Cllr Hopkins said: “A controversial figure in his day, Saunders Lewis was one of a number of people in the 1920s who made their nationality the focus of their politics. He was instrumental in a movement to stop the decline of the Welsh language and restore pride in Welsh culture.

“His patriotism, coupled with his world class achievements in literature and academia, means he’s thoroughly deserving of blue plaque recognition in his home city.

“This is the 15th blue plaque we’ve unveiled in the last four years as we continue to celebrate our city’s heritage by honouring people and places that have put Swansea on the map over the years.”

Lewis, who was also a novelist, an historian and a dramatist, died in 1985.

Other blue plaque recipients in Swansea since 2012 include polar explorer Edgar Evans, suffragette Emily Phipps and rock singer Pete Ham. Places to have been honoured include St Helen’s and Cwmdonkin Park.

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