author
Evan Lloyd
1734–1776
An 18th-century Welsh poet and clergyman, he is best remembered for sharp, lively satires that poked at critics, church life, and religious controversy. His work captures the bite and bustle of literary culture in Georgian Britain.
1 Audiobook
The Methodist : a poem
by Evan Lloyd
About the author
Born in 1734 near Bala in Merionethshire, Wales, he was educated at Ruthin School and then at Jesus College, Oxford, where he took his B.A. in 1754 and M.A. in 1757. After taking orders, he served as a curate in London and later became vicar of Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd.
He made his name through satirical verse. In 1766 he published three poems, including The Powers of the Pen and The Curate, using wit to attack literary critics and to complain about the hard lot of poorly paid curates. Another satire, The Methodist, stirred serious trouble and led to a libel case, showing how risky literary mockery could be in his day.
He died in 1776. Though not among the most famous poets of his century, he still stands out as a vivid Anglo-Welsh voice whose poems mix humor, irritation, and social observation in a way that feels strikingly direct.