Edward Prosser Rhys was a trailblazing poet, journalist, and publisher who shaped Welsh literary and cultural life. He founded Gwasg Aberystwyth and the Clwb Llyfrau Cymraeg, contributing significantly to Wales’ cultural identity. E. Prosser Rhys is perhaps best remembered for his pryddest (extended poem) entitled 'Atgof' (Memory), which won him the National Eisteddfod Crown in 1924. The poem sparked controversy for its candid depictions of sexual intimacy, including a ground-breaking portrayal of a relationship between two men.
This new edition, published by Llyfrau Melin Bapur, not only revisits 'Atgof' but also offers fresh insight into Prosser Rhys’s poetic voice. Dr Gareth Evans-Jones provides a compelling foreword that situates Prosser Rhys’s work within the broader contexts of nationalism, pacifism, and socio-religious thought. By applying innovative hermeneutical approaches, Dr Gareth Evans-Jones sheds light on Prosser Rhys as a figure deserving greater scholarly attention.
Commenting on Prosser Rhys’s enduring impact, Dr Gareth Evans-Jones states, “The influence of Prosser Rhys, the Dedalus from Trefenter, is undeniable. His contributions to literature, culture, and politics merit further exploration, and I hope this reprint inspires a new generation to engage with his legacy.”
Atgof a cherddi eraill is available now from Llyfrau Melin Bapur.
This re-publication invites readers to rediscover one of Wales’ most fascinating, yet underexplored, recent thinkers and literary figures.