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Ellis Pierce (29 January 1841 – 31 July 1912) also known as Elis o'r Nant, was a Welsh writer and bookseller.


Early life

Ellis Pierce was born on a farm at Tan y Clogwyn, Dolwyddelan. He attended a school at Penmachno, but his little formal education was interrupted by a serious illness, which he survived with a crooked leg. Though he could not manage farmwork, he was set to help with weighing at a quarry.Evan David Jones
"Ellis Pierce"
in ''Dictionary of Welsh Biography'' (National Library of Wales 2009).


Career

While a young quarry worker, Pierce began writing for '' Baner ac Amserau Cymru'', mostly articles about local conditions, reform efforts, and antiquity. He moved to America in 1870, settling at Utica, New York, but returned to Wales in 1874. He was clerk of the Dolwyddelan parish, and served a term on the Llanrwst board of guardians. He was known a longtime liberal in his politics. In 1882, the ''Baner'' was successfully sued for libel, and Pierce had to pay the £250 debt incurred. Pierce had a bookstall at the
National Eisteddfod The National Eisteddfod of Wales (Welsh: ') is the largest of several eisteddfodau that are held annually, mostly in Wales. Its eight days of competitions and performances are considered the largest music and poetry festival in Europe. Competitors ...
for many years. He was Recorder of the
Gorsedd A gorsedd (, plural ''gorseddau'') is a community or meeting of modern-day bards. The word is of Welsh origin, meaning "throne". It is spelled gorsedh in Cornish and goursez in Breton. When the term is used without qualification, it usually r ...
until a falling out over ceremonial procedure in 1898.


Works by Ellis Pierce

Ellis's books were mainly historical romances in Welsh, with rural settings. *''Nanws ach Rhobert'' (1880) *''Yr Ymfudwr Cymreig'' (1883) *''A Guide to Nant Conway'' (1884)Ellis o'r Nant
''A Guide to Nant Conway''
(1884). *''Rhamant Hanesyddol: Gruffydd ab Cynan'' (1885) *''Gwilym Morgan'' (1890) *''Syr Williams o Benamnen'' (1894) *''Teulu'r Gilfach'' (1897) *''Dafydd ab Siencyn yr Herwr, a Rhys yr Arian Daear'' (1905)


Further reading

*Vivian Parry Williams, ''Elis o'r Nant – Cynrychiolydd y Werin'' (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch 2014). A biography in Welsh.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pierce, Ellis Welsh writers 1841 births 1912 deaths