Morris Williams

Who was Morris Williams?

Morris Williams, was a Welsh clergyman and writer, commonly known by his bardic name of Nicander so as to differentiate him from others of the same name.

He was born at Caernarfon, the son of William Morris. His mother, Sarah, was the sister of Peter Jones. The family moved to Coed Cae Bach, Llangybi, and he went to school at Llanystumdwy before being apprenticed to a carpenter. His talent for poetry was recognised, and he was able to attend the King's School, Chester, followed by Jesus College, Oxford. He was ordained as an Anglican clergyman 1836, and became curate at Holywell, later of Bangor and Pentir and eventually of Amlwch.

In 1840 he married Ann Jones of Denbigh, and they had eight children.

At the Aberffraw eisteddfod of 1849, he won the bardic chair for an awdl on the Creation. he became rector of Llanrhuddlad in 1859. In terms of belief, he was a follower of the Oxford Movement.