Political Lives #4 Saunders Lewis

POLITICAL LIVES is a series of biographies of remarkable politicians, scholars and activists that helped shape our societies throughout the XX century.

The fourth issue is devoted to Saunders Lewis (1893–1985).

Lewis was a prominent Welsh polititian, writer, academic, and activist whose life and work significantly shaped Welsh cultural and political identity. ​

Born in England to Welsh-speaking parents, Lewis grew up immersed in Welsh language and culture despite his surroundings. ​

After serving as a lieutenant in World War I, he pursued higher education, earning degrees in English and French, and later a Master’s focusing on English poetry’s influence on Welsh writers.

His early career as a lecturer at University College Swansea marked a productive period in his literary and political development, during which he wrote plays, essays, and critiques that laid the foundation for his nationalist philosophy. ​

In 1925, he co-founded Plaid Cymru, the Welsh nationalist party, advocating for a Welsh-speaking society and autonomy from British imperialism.

He is considered to this day one of the most important founders of the Welsh movement and a reference who’s ideas and example have shaped Wales to this day.

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This paper is an initiative of Coppieters Foundation in cooperation with Fundació Josep Irla.

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This paper is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the conference or the opinions of the authors.

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