16 February 2015

  S4C Chairman Huw Jones has paid tribute to the historian Dr John Davies following his death at the age of 76.

Dr John Davies appeared in many S4C programmes and published a huge amount of significant works which contributed to the study of Welsh history during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Among his recent contributions was the evocative film portrayal Gwirionedd y Galon (A Telesgop production) which was critically acclaimed. He was also the presenter of the history series '100 Lle' (produced by Fflic, part of Boom Cymru) where he took viewers on an unforgettable journey to some of Wales' most important historic sites and treasures.

Huw Jones, Chairman of the S4C Authority said,

"I was once asked to name a Welsh book that everybody should read. My answer was 'Hanes Cymru' – 'The History of Wales' by John Davies. It's a classic volume and a labour of love which presents a deep academic understanding of Wales' history but is both approachable and eloquent, with the English version that followed proving just as successful. It's a must-read for anyone who wants to understand Wales.

"Dr John Davies made an outstanding contribution to national and academic Welsh life in the second half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century. He was one of the founders of the Welsh Language Society, of course, and an influential early warden of the students' hall of residence, Pantycelyn Hall in Aberystwyth. He was a colourful and playful contributor to many television programmes in addition to being a highly respected and productive academic historian. The large void left after 'Bwlch Llan' will be felt across Wales."

ENDS