Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Richard, Edward
RICHARD, EDWARD (1714–1777), Welsh poet, born at Ystrad Meurig, Cardiganshire, was son of Thomas Richard, a tailor and innkeeper of that place. He was educated first at a school there, and then for a short time at the grammar school at Carmarthen. About 1734 he opened a school of his own at Ystrad Meurig, which after several years he closed, declaring himself in need of further study. After two years he recommenced teaching as first master of a newly endowed school in the adjoining parish of Lledrod, but soon he founded and endowed out of his own savings a free grammar school in his native village (see the deed of trust executed 22 April 1774, and his will dated 28 Feb. 1777, in Meyrick's Cardiganshire, pp. 476–84). He also founded a library for the use of the school in 1759. He had a great reputation for classical learning, and his school became one of the most famous in Wales in the latter half of last century. It continued to flourish until the establishment in 1827 of St. David's College at Lampeter. Although it has of late dwindled to small proportions, it is still maintained in accordance with the founder's wishes as a church of England school (Wales for January 1895, pp. 3–4). Richard himself declined ordination, regarding himself as unworthy of so sacred a calling. He died unmarried on 28 Feb. 1777, and was buried in the church at Ystrad Meurig. A memorial stone with a Latin inscription was placed on the wall of the school library.
Richard was author of some of the best specimens of pastoral poetry in the Welsh language. His poems are on the plan of the pastorals of Theocritus and Virgil and contain many happy adaptations of expressions in those originals. They are still used at Ystrad Meurig school as a medium for classical instruction. His first pastoral, which was occasioned by the death of his mother, about 1764, was published in 1765 (see Rowlands, Welsh Bibliography, p. 486), or, according to some accounts, in 1766. It was followed by another in 1776. It is believed that many of his earlier compositions have been lost. The two pastorals, together with two other songs and some hymns, which represent nearly all that has been preserved of his writings, were published, with a biography, in 1811 under the title of ‘Yr Eos: sef Gwaith Prydyddawl Mr. Edward Richard Ystrad Meurig, gyda hanes ei fywyd,’ London, 8vo, and reprinted at Carmarthen in 1813 (12mo), 1851, and 1856. An englyn which does not appear in the small collection is given in Jones's ‘History of Wales’ (p. 257), where it is said to have been addressed by Richard to his friend Evan Evans (1730–1789) [q. v.], better known as Ieuan Brydydd Hir, who also wrote a short poem in eulogy of one of Richard's songs (Jones, op. cit. pp. 258–9). Richard was well versed in antiquarian subjects, and his correspondence with Lewis Morris [q. v.] and others was published in the ‘Cambrian Register’ (i. 337, 345–58, 363, ii. 541–51). An elegy on him was written by David Richards (Dafydd Ionawr), who had been his pupil.