H. Elvet (Howell Elvet) Lewis

Born on 14 April 1860, Howell Elvet Lewis was a Welsh Congregational minister who became widely known by his bardic name, Elfed. Alongside his ministry, he built a strong reputation as a hymn writer and devotional poet, with work that connected deeply to Welsh religious and literary culture.

Lewis was also active in public cultural life in Wales. He served as Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1924 to 1928, a prominent role in one of the country’s most important literary and cultural institutions.

He lived a long life that stretched from the Victorian era into the 20th century, dying on 10 December 1953. He is remembered for the way he joined faith, poetry, and Welsh national culture in a single career.