Griffith George

Background

He was born in Llangoedmor, near Cardigan, but moved at a young age to Pontseli, near Newcastle Emlyn.

Career

One of his contemporaries was Herber Evans, a prominent Calvinistic Methodist minister. He entered the drapery trade and spent a number of years in London. The son became a mining engineer in India.

In 1876, George moved to Trecynon where he opened a drapery business, and in 1886 he took over the larger concern of Henry Lewis, known as the Beehive, in Victoria Square, Aberdare.

He retired from business in 1900. Controversy over this issue, however, led to his defeat in 1899.

In 1901 he was invited, following a public meeting, to contest the Gadlys ward in the Glamorgan County Council elections. He refused, but stood three years later, attracting some criticism for opposing the Labour candidate, Evan Parker.

His home in later life was at The Laurels, Trecynon.

He had many literary interests and was known by the pseudonym Gruffydd Dyfed, and a volume of his literary works was published in 1906. He died in Tenerife where he has was spending the winter for health reasons, and was buried on the island.

Achievements

• George became active in local Liberal politics, was a founder member of the Aberdare Liberal Club and was also active in the South Wales Liberal Association.

Membership

In 1894 he was elected as one of the first members of the Aberdare Urban District Council and he became an advocate of free libraries. He became a member of the County Education Committee and a governor of the Aberdare County School. George was a deacon and leading member of Heolyfelin Chapel, Aberdare.