David Thomas

David Thomas, better known by his bardic name Dafydd Ddu Eryri, (April 1759 – 30 March 1822) was a Welsh poet and teacher of poets.

Early life Plaque on the home of Dafydd Du in WaunfawrThomas was born in April 1759 in Waunfawr. He received a little basic education from a local cleric, who introduced him to the study of Welsh poetry. His father, Thomas Griffith, was a weaver and Calvinistic Methodist. After leaving school, David Thomas also became a weaver. including the , which met at the in Pontnewydd.

He won the silver medal for his ode (English: Freedom) at the eisteddfod of the Gwyneddigion in St Asaph, 1790. Although of little literary value, it expresses a strong opposition to slavery. He won another prize at the Gwyneddigion eisteddfod in Llanrwst, 1791. :