Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Davies, Robert (1769?-1835)
DAVIES, ROBERT (1769?–1835), Welsh poet, better known as Bardd Nantglyn and Robin Ddu o'r Glyn, was born about 1769. He resided for four years (1800–4) in London, where he filled at intervals the offices of bard and secretary to the Gwynneddigion Society. On returning to Wales he settled at Nantglyn, near Denbigh. He occupied the bardic chair for Powis at the Wrexham Eisteddfod in 1820 by his prize elegy on the death of George III. On different occasions he obtained eleven medals for his prize poems, in addition to many premiums in money. Most of these compositions are published in his work entitled ‘Diliau Barddas,’ Denbigh, 1827, 8vo. He also wrote an excellent Welsh grammar, ‘Gramadeg Cymraeg; sef cyfarwyddyd hyrwydd i ymadroddi ac ysgrifenu yr iaith Gymraeg,’ Chester, 1808, which passed through four editions. He died on 1 Dec. 1835 and was buried at Nantglyn, where he had been for some years the parish clerk.
[Gent. Mag. new ser. v. 327; Williams's Eminent Welshmen, p. 111; Williams's Biog. Sketches of some of the most eminent Individuals which the Principality of Wales has produced, p. 86; Cat. of Printed Books in Brit. Mus.; Rowlands's Llyfryddiaeth y Cymry, pp. 713, 730.]