Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Morris, Edward
MORRIS, EDWARD (d. 1689), Welsh poet, of Perthi Llwydion, near Cerryg y Drudion, Denbighshire, was one of the best known writers of carols, ballads, and 'englynion' during the second half of the seventeenth century. Twelve of his pieces are to be found in 'Llyfr Carolau a Dyriau duwiol' (3rd edit. Shrewsbury, 1720), and eleven in 'Blodeugerdd Cymru' (1759). They are variously dated from 1656 to 1688. He was an intimate friend of his more famous brother bard, Huw Morris or Morus [q. v.], whose published works contain complimentary 'englynion' exchanged by the two poets, and an elegy composed by Huw Morus upon hearing of the death of his friend (Eos Ceiriog, ii. 363, 405-10, i. 21). From the latter we learn that Edward died in 1689 while travelling in Essex, no doubt in the pursuit of his occupation as drover. It would appear he was a fair English and Welsh scholar, for shortly before his death he was entrusted by Mrs. Margaret Vychan of Llwydiarth, Montgomeryshire, with the task of translating into Welsh an English theological work, which was published in 1689 (at Mrs. Vychan's expense) under the title 'Y Rhybuddiwr Crist'nogawl' (ib. ii. 360-4; W. Rowlands, Cambrian Bibliography, p. 246).
[Eos Ceiriog, ed. W[alter] D[avies], 1823.]