Daniel Davies

Daniel Davies (15 November 1797 – 19 February 1876) was a Welsh Baptist preacher, also known as "Y Dyn Dall" (The Blind Man).

Early life and education Davies was born at Moelfre, Llanfair-ar-y-bryn, Carmarthenshire. His father was Joshua Davies. He was living in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil as a boy when he became blind after surviving smallpox. In 1815 he was admitted as a student at the Royal School for the Blind, Liverpool, where he not only learned manual skills such as basketry and weaving, but also learned to speak English.

Career Davies was 19 when he started preaching in Wales, at first as a Presbyterian, but soon as a Baptist. He was noted for his intellect and his passion for learning; one acquaintance recalled of his preaching, "He was like one of those transatlantic steamers that must be seen in deep waters to be appreciated." When a visiting pastor preached in English, Davies translated the message into Welsh for his congregation. Noted Welsh preacher Christmas Evans died at the home of Daniel Davies in 1838, and Davies preached at his funeral.

He sat for a portrait with photographer John Thomas as an old man. Davies died in 1876, age 78. His gravesite is in Swansea, in a vault at the former Bethesda Welsh Baptist Chapel. He was married; his wife died before 1856. They had at least one daughter who survived him, a Mrs. J. Rowlands of Llanelly.