Lewis Morris (2 March 1701 – 11 April 1765) was a Welsh hydrographer, antiquary,

poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems ( oral or wri ...

and

lexicographer Lexicography is the study of lexicons, and is divided into two separate academic disciplines. It is the art of compiling dictionaries. * Practical lexicography is the art or craft of compiling, writing and editing dictionaries. * Theoretica ...

, the eldest of the Morris brothers of Anglesey. Lewis Morris was the eldest son of Morris ap Rhisiart Morris, a farmer, of Llanfihangel-Tre'r-Beirdd in

Anglesey Anglesey (; cy, (Ynys) Môn ) is an island off the north-west coast of Wales. It forms a principal area known as the Isle of Anglesey, that includes Holy Island across the narrow Cymyran Strait and some islets and skerries. Anglesey island ...

. His bardic name was Llewelyn Ddu o Fôn ("Black Llewelyn

ewis An electrical wiring interconnect system (EWIS) is the wiring system and components (such as bundle clamps, wire splices, etc.) for a complex system. The term originated in the aviation industry but was originally designated as Electrical Intercon ...

of Anglesey"). The correspondence between him and his younger brothers is a valuable historical source. In 1751, he founded the

Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion ( cy, Anrhydeddus Gymdeithas y Cymmrodorion), often called simply the Cymmrodorion, is a London-based Welsh learned society, with membership open to all. It was first established in 1751 as a social, cultural ...

along with his brother

Richard Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from Old Frankish and is a compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'stro ...

Career as a cartographer

Although there is no record of his having had any further education, Lewis Morris began his career as an estate-surveyor, and was employed by the Meyrick family of Bodorgan. He worked as a Customs official from 1729, and was later involved in the Cardiganshire mining industry. However, he is perhaps best known for his hydrographic surveys of the Welsh Coast. The idea for the survey probably arose while he was working as a Customs official in Holyhead, where he would have come into contact with many seafarers. At this time there were no accurate and up-to-date hydrographic charts of the Welsh coast and many ships and people died as a result. Morris put his idea for a survey to the

Admiralty Admiralty most often refers to: *Admiralty, Hong Kong *Admiralty (United Kingdom), military department in command of the Royal Navy from 1707 to 1964 *The rank of admiral *Admiralty law Admiralty can also refer to: Buildings * Admiralty, Traf ...

, but they showed little interest and he was obliged to undertake the work at his own expense. The result of his efforts was the publication of ''Plans of harbours, bars, bays, and roads in St. George's-Channel'' in 1748. While this work had a major impact on the safety of shipping around the Welsh coast at the time; Morris's contribution to British cartography was for many years eclipsed by his other achievements.

Later career

In his spare time, Morris began prospecting for lead, and during the 1750s he was in constant dispute with his employers and was prosecuted and lost his job as collector of tolls at

Aberdyfi Aberdyfi (), also known as Aberdovey ( ), is a village and community in Gwynedd, Wales, located on the northern side of the estuary of the River Dyfi. The population of the community was 878 at the 2011 census. The electoral ward had a large ...

. He visited London several times in order to contest court cases relating to his industrial activities; whilst there, he assisted his brother

in setting up the Cymmrodorion Society. However, Lewis's long-term project, the publication of a dictionary, was never completed. He died on 11 April 1765 and is buried in

Llangunnor Llangunnor is a village and community located in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is the southern suburb of Carmarthen town and consists mainly of typical suburban housing which has expanded in recent years. It has a small shop, two chapels, a church ...

Churchyard in Wales.

Works

*''Plans of Harbours, Bays, and Roads in St. George's and the Bristol Channels'' (1748) *''Tlysau yr Hen Oesoedd'' (1753) *''Short History of the Manor of Creuthyn'' (1756) *''Celtic Remains'' (1757; not published until 1878)

Sources

Welsh Biography Online

External links

National Library of Wales - Lewis Morris and William Morris' Sea Charts
*Oxford Dictionary of National Biography entry under "Morris, Lewis". http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/19313. Retrieved 27 February 2010. Subscription required. {{DEFAULTSORT:Morris, Lewis Welsh-language poets Welsh antiquarians Welsh cartographers People from Anglesey 1701 births 1765 deaths