Background
His father died when he was young.
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Daniel James
Edit ProfileCareer
Daniel James came from Treboeth in Swansea. He became a puddler at Morriston ironworks, and afterwards worked at Landore tinplate works. He began to write verse and assumed the bardic name Gwyrosydd (probably meaning "place of privets" (gwyros & territorial suffix -ydd) or possibly "Gower moorlands" (Gŵyr & rhosydd)).
He later found work in Tredegar, Dowlais Ironworks, Blaengarw, and Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taff, where he spent 20 years.
He was buried at Mynyddbach Cemetery, and a memorial tablet was placed at Treboeth Public Hall in 1936. Much of his verse appeared in periodicals and newspapers, but collections were also published.
Calon Lân is easily his most popular hymn, and regularly tops the lists of favourite Welsh hymns. He is thought to have written the words while he lived at Blaengarw.
In 2008 Parc Calon Lan was opened by Huw Edwards at the top of the Valley in Blaengarw.
In 2013 work began on an animated film of his life.The project is a collaboration between the Treboeth History Group, Swansea University and several local primary schools.
