David Hughes

David Hughes (c. 1794 - 2 March 1862), known by his bardic name of Eos Iâl, was a Welsh poet and publisher. Hughes is known as the author of the plygain carol Ar Gyfer Heddiw'r Bore [cy].

Hughes was born in around 1794, probably at "Brynllwynog", Bryneglwys near Corwen, Denbighshire. In the 1820s he moved a few miles away to Cynwyd, in the parish of Llangar. He married twice and fathered eight children. He lived in "Nhŷ yr Ardd", Pentre, a hamlet near Bryneglwys. Fond of alcohol when a young man, he was subsequently drawn to the evangelical temperance movement, becoming one of its leaders as well as an Oddfellow and a member of the Baptist church, firstly at Cynwyd and then at Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy, where, dying aged 67, he was buried.

In 1824 he won an Eisteddfod in Corwen and remained a competitor until 1835. In 1839 he published a volume of verse which proved highly popular. Bob Owen, Croesor [cy] says, of this collection: "Much of its content is of a popular appeal and of ephemeral value." His work critiqued what he regarded as the prevailing social and moral laxity of his day.

In 1837 he bought a printing press, producing a small number of books and some songs and carols.

Works published

• "Ffrwyth y Profiad neu Waedd yn Erbyn Meddwdod" ("The Fruit of Experience or Tirade against Drunkenness") (pamphlet)
• "Araith Beelsebub Tywysog y Fagddu Fawr" ("The Great Prince Beelzebub") (pamphlet)
• "Udgorn y Jubili a'r Gynadledd" ("Trumpet of the Jubilee and Conference") (held by Bangor University Library)