Ifor Owen

Ifor Owen (3 July 1915 – 22 May 2007) was a Welsh educator who was notable for writing, illustrating and publishing Hwyl, the first children's comic book in the Welsh language.

Life history Owen was born in Cefnddwysarn, a small village near Bala in Wales in 1915. He was educated at the Boys' Grammar School in Bala and then Bangor Normal College. Hwyl ran from 1949 until 1989, selling roughly 8,000 copies per issue.

As a child, Owen had been an early member of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, a Welsh youth movement, and as an adult he helped by designing and illustrating many of their publications. Owen was seen as one of the few people who tried to bring a professional quality to illustrations for children in Wales, and took great pride in his work.

Awards and honours Owen was awarded many times for his contributions to Welsh culture. In 1961 he was invested in the White Robe Order of Gorsedd y Beirdd. In the 1977 National Eisteddfod of Wales, held in Wrexham, he was awarded the Syr T H Parry Williams Medal by the contribution to Welsh culture; and in 1985 he became the first recipient of the Mary Vaughan Jones Award, for his contribution to the field of children's books in Wales.

He was awarded an honorary MA by the University of Wales in 1997, for his service to Welsh culture and his contributions to Urdd Gobaith Cymru.