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53 Results

James James

The tune that stirs the soul at the start of rugby internationals - Land of My Fathers - was composed by James James in Pontypridd in 1856.

Glyndwr Michael

The Man Who Never Was helped to dupe the Germans about the invasion of Sicily during WW2.

In 1943 the body of Aberbargoed born Glyndwr Michael was released from a British submarine into the sea off the Spanish town of Huelva in a plot to confuse the German forces.

Charlotte Guest

Born into the English aristocracy, Lady Charlotte Guest wasn’t an obvious candidate as a translator of medieval Welsh. But within 13 years of marrying John Josiah Guest she had moved to Dowlais, had 10 children, learned Welsh and translated the tales of the Mabinogion. (Angela Elniff-Larsen)

Influential ironmaster's wife who became one of the best known women in 19th century Wales.

Sir Daniel Gooch

I look back upon the time spent at Tredegar as by far the most important years of my life... large works of this kind are by far the best school for a young engineer. (Sir Daniel Gooch)

Sir Daniel Gooch trained as an engineer under Thomas Ellis at Tredegar Ironworks. Together they pioneered steam railway locomotion in south Wales.

Joseph Parry

Famed on both sides of the Atlantic for his music

Joseph Parry was the composer of one of the most famous Welsh tunes - Myfanwy - and one of the best loved hymns - Aberystwyth. He was born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1841.

Evan James - Ieuan ap Iago

‘This land of my fathers is dear to me.’

'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' or 'Land of My Fathers' is, by tradition, the national anthem of Wales. The words were written by Evan James and the tune composed by his son, James James, in 1856 whilst they were living in Pontypridd. The earliest written copy survives in the collections of the National Library of Wales.

Richard Burton

Wales' most famous Hollywood superstar.

This Hollywood superstar who appeared in 62 films and was nominated for 7 Academy awards came from the mining village of Pontrhydyfen.

Nicholas Evans

The Welsh Van Gogh

Only discovered by the art world in his 70s, Nicholas took up painting when he retired as an engine driver. Self-taught, he was soon being called 'The Welsh Van Gogh'. His paintings have a gritty realism, depicting miners as victims.

Tommy Cooper

‘Before I start I just want to say this; this.’

This much loved comedian and member of the Magic Circle who was born in Caerphilly was one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century.

Rebecca Evans

The nurse who sings!

Rebecca comes from Pontrhydyfen, a small village near Neath where Richard Burton and Ivor Emmanuel were also born. She is an operatic soprano who regularly appears on both sides of Atlantic.

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