Elis Roberts

Ellis Roberts (Elis y Cowper) (1712–1789) was a Welsh author of interludes and a composer of ballads.

Background Roberts was born in Llanycil, near Bala, Wales. By the 1740s he had moved to live in Llanddoged in Conwy Valley. Like his bardic name suggests, Roberts worked as a cooper in the daytime. The work of a cooper involves creating casks and barrels for beer, wine, liquor and other liquids. The cooper would also make wooden vessels and equipment for dairies, such as buckets and equipment for churning.

Personal life Roberts was married four times and widowed three times. His interludes touch on problems both at home and abroad; his 1777 interlude Y Ddau Gyfamod concerns the American Revolutionary War.

Death

Roberts died on the 27th November 1789 and was laid to rest in the cemetery of Saint Doged's Church, Llanddoged.

Llyfrau Llafar Gwlad: 93. Elis y Cowper - Brenin y Baledi; Cynfael Lake