Name: John Ryland Harris

Author: William Joseph Rhys

Born 12 December 1802 at Swansea, son of Joseph Harris (1773 — 1825), Gomer. He was taught the art of printing by D. Jenkin and, when the latter failed, Gomer secured his business for his son. From 1816 on it was Ieuan who did all the composing while his father corrected the proofs after school hours. He was given private coaching in the classics from about 1822 and also attended the Hamsworth College which was close by. He wrote Cymorth i Chwerthin before he was twelve, and the book ran into a second edition. He was also a frequent contributor to Seren Gomer. When he was still only seventeen he formed a Cymreigyddion society at Swansea. His Grisiau Cerdd Arwest was written with the expressed intention of instructing people in the art of singing and was based on the works of Peck, Rippon, and Owen Williams (1774 — post 1827) of Anglesey; a second impression was issued in 1825. He wrote verse on occasion and, although he was not a church member, led the singing in his chapel with his flute. He had intended publishing an English — Welsh dictionary and a poetic glossary, but his health failed and he died 4 December 1823.