Huw Robert Jones

Huw Robert Jones (1894–August 1930), known as H. R. Jones, was a Welsh nationalist politician.

Jones was born in Ebenezer in Caernarfonshire,^[1] where he worked in the quarries from the age of thirteen,^[2] and later as a travelling grocery salesman.^[3] He led a campaign to rename his home village as "Deiniolen", which was successful.^[1] Always a strong proponent of home rule for Wales, in 1924 he founded the Welsh Home Rule Army and,^[1] as one of its three most prominent leaders, he attended the founding meeting of Plaid Cymru.^[4]

Plaid was founded in a hotel in Pwllheli, while the National Eisteddfod was underway.^[4] Jones was chosen as its first general secretary, but the other party founders convinced him to avoid non-violent direct action in their cause.^[5] In 1928, he stood for election to the county council in Upper Deiniolen, the party's only candidate, but he was not elected.^[6]

Although popular with party members, he was not regarded as an effective organiser.^[7] He contracted tuberculosis and in 1928, he became aware that he did not have long to live. He was compelled to scale back his role until his death in 1930.^[2][7]

After Jones' death, Gwenallt composed "Breuddwyd y Bardd" in his honour.^[2]

References

1. 1 2 3 John Davies et al, The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales, p.424
2. 1 2 3 Meic Stephens, The New Companion to the Literature of Wales, p.382
3. ↑ D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, pp.26, 44
4. 1 2 D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, p.61
5. ↑ D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, p.69
6. ↑ "Forming Plaid Cymru", National Library of Wales Journal (1983)
7. 1 2 D. Hywel Davies, The Welsh Nationalist Party, 1925-1945, p.212