William Ambrose (Emrys)


William Ambrose, whose bardic name was Emrys, was a 19th-century Welsh–language poet and preacher.

Ordination

Ambrose was born at an inn called the Penrhyn Arms in Bangor, Caernarfonshire, north Wales. His father, John, was a leading member of the local Baptist community, and his mother, Elizabeth, a founder member of Bethel chapel in Bangor. They remained at the Penrhyn Arms for ten years, up to 1823. John Ambrose was also the tenant of the local shop. The Welsh composer John Ambrose Lloyd was William's cousin. William Ambrose was taught at Holyhead by the Rev W Griffiths.
After school, Ambrose was apprenticed to a draper in Liverpool, where he became a member of the Tabernacle Congregational Church, in which his cousin John became precentor. He later moved to London.
However, having gone on a preaching tour led by William Williams, he decided against setting up in business in Liverpool and instead become a minister. He was ordained on 7 December 1837. He remained minister of the Independent chapel at Porthmadog until his death, aged 60.

Writing

Emrys edited the periodical Y Dysgedydd from 1853 to 1873, and narrowly missed winning the bardic chair at the Aberffraw Eisteddfod of 1849, with his "Awdl ar y greadigaeth".
He is not regarded as an outstanding poet, many of whose sermons were published. but was a popular preacher, Some of his poems, such as "Ar y Lan Arall", became hymns.

Legacy