Meic Stephens

Professor Meic Stephens (1938-2018) was a Welsh scholar, author, and academic renowned for his contributions to Welsh literature and cultural preservation. He held a professorial chair at the University of Glamorgan, near his childhood home in Treforest, and previously served as Literature Director of the Arts Council of Wales (1967-1990). His work emphasized promoting Welsh literature in both Welsh and English, culminating in seminal works like The Oxford Companion to the Literature of Wales.

Education: Graduated in French from Aberystwyth University (1961), trained as a teacher at Bangor University. Key roles include founding Poetry Wales (1960s), co-authoring the Writers of Wales series, and championing Welsh language rights through Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg. His international work included a visiting professorship at Brigham Young University (1993), documented in A Semester in Zion.

Research & Legacy: Focused on bilingualism, Welsh literary history, and cultural outreach. His autobiography Cofnodion and poetry in the Wenhwyseg dialect highlight his personal and scholarly engagement with Welsh identity. Awards include National Eisteddfod honors and recognition from the Learned Society of Wales.

Grants & Initiatives: Pioneered funding schemes for Welsh publishers, established writers' awards, and expanded the Welsh Books Council. His legacy includes fostering global awareness of Welsh literature through accessible translations and academic resources.