The University of Wales’ Y Werin Legacy Fund has awarded its annual prizes. This year’s Sir Ellis-Griffith Memorial Prize goes to Dr Gareth Evans-Jones, lecturer in Philosophy and Religious Studies, for his book ‘Mae’r Beibl o’n tu’: Ymatebion crefyddol y Cymry yn America i gaethwasiaeth (1838– 1868) (University of Wales Press, 2022). This is the first volume to critically explore how the Welsh in America used the Bible to respond to 19th century slavery, with many condemning the practice of owning people, and others, from time to time, condoning it.
The Award is presented annually in the name of the University of Wales from the Ellis-Griffith Fund and goes to the best Welsh-language publication focusing on Welsh authors, artists or artisans or their work. The Prize is
provided from a Fund raised in memory of the late Right Honourable Sir Ellis Jones Ellis-Griffith MA KC PC (1860–1926), former Member of Parliament for the County of Anglesey.
Gareth undertook his PhD thesis ‘Mae’r Beibl o’n tu’ under the supervision of Professor Jerry Hunter and Emeritus Professor Eryl Wynn Davies, and that was the foundation for this academic volume which was described by Emeritus Professor D. Densil Morgan as a 'pioneering volume [which is also] an invaluable contribution to the science of Welsh biblical exegesis. This is an extremely bright study.'
Gareth said, “It was a huge shock to receive this important award. Compiling the doctoral thesis that formed the basis of the book under the guidance of two exceptional scholars, and then working together with the University of Wales Press and Aled Llion Jones, was a privilege, and hearing that the Trust has deemed ‘Mae’r Beibl o’n tu’ worthy of the award was a feeling beyond words. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who was part of the adjudication process. This is a huge boost and I am extremely grateful.”