Background
He was born Robert Jones on a farm in Merionethshire and became a travelling salesman employed by a Manchester firm.
He was born Robert Jones on a farm in Merionethshire and became a travelling salesman employed by a Manchester firm.
He also became a Baptist preacher. With John Ceiriog Hughes and two other Welshmen, he formed a literary society in Manchester, taking the surname "Derfel" at that time. In 1865 he bought a bookshop in Manchester, with a printing press, and afterwards produced "Derfel"s School Series" on Welsh-interest topics.
His political views were heavily influenced by Robert Owen, and he wrote the first articles on Socialism in the Welsh language, campaigning for causes such as a university for Wales. In his later years he wrote more in the English language, particularly on the subject of Socialism.