Bailey, Crawshay (l789-l872): M.P., iron-master and railway pioneer at Cyfarthfa, Merthyr, commemorated with much sarcasm in the song "Y Mochyn Du" (the Black Pig).

Baker, David (Augustine Baker, l575-l64l): b. Abergavenny, Catholic writer on theology who had the temerity to suggest that spiritual guidance came to the soul directly from God and was to be sought and found in prayer. In l624, he became spiritual director for the English Benedictine nuns at Cambrai, France

Baker, Sir Stanley (l928- l976): Rhondda born actor of stage and screen, debuted in The Druid’s Rest (l942). Starring in 55 films, he is most remembered for his roles as a tough guy and for his part as the Welsh captain in the Hollywood epic Zulu.

Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury (d. 119l): he preached the Crusade in Wales in l188 to emphasize his authority over the four Welsh cathedrals.

Bale, Christian (b. l974): b. Haverford West; actor chosen as the next Batman; appeared at age l2 in Empire of the Sun; starred in Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V and American Psycho.

Ballinger, John (l860-l933): b. Pontnewydd, Mont., the first librarian of the National Library of Wales (l908), with many texts on technical librarianship, he contributed much to the study of the literature and bibliography of Wales.

Bancroft, William John (l870-l959): great fullback in rugby union; Welsh captain in many matches, in two of which they won the Triple Crown.

Bard: a member of the Gorsedd, which supervises the National Eisteddfod; members have distinguished themselves in many areas of public life in Wales or in the promulgation of Welsh culture outside Wales. The Bardic Order in Wales formed a privileged section of society; for more than l000 years. By the late l500’s the Order was in decline, noble families having dispensed with bards. The present Gorsedd came out of the fertile mind of Iolo Morgannwg in the late l8th Century and has become an integral part of Welsh culture.

Bardd Gwlad (Country poet): a poet who writes in the traditional metres and in cynghanedd to celebrate communal life and events of his own locality.

Barlow, Roger (l6th century): b. Pembs, a member of Cabot’s second voyage to the Americas in l526. His translation of the Spanish Suma de Geographi was the first account of the New World in English.
Barney (b. l996): from Gwersyllt, near Wrexham, famous cat who alerted is owners to a fire in their kitchen in 2002, thus saving their lives and winning a national competition of the Cats’ Protection League.

Barnie, John: from Abergavenny, assistant editor of Planet and then editor. He has published collections of his own poetry, fiction and essays, winning Welsh Arts Council Book of the Year Award in l990.

Basham, Johnny (l890-l947): born in Newport, he came to Wrexham with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, becoming famous as a boxer. Known as “The Happy Wanderer,” he won Welterweight and Middle Weight European championships, with 9l professional fights.

Bassey, Dame Shirley (b. l937): Cardiff-born international entertainer. Her songs for the James Bond movies include "Goldfinger," "Diamonds are For Ever," and "Moonraker"; other hits include "Nobody Does it Like Me," and "Big Spender." Named the Tigress of Tiger Bay, Dame Shirley debuted on record with the “Banana Boat Song” in l957. In l977 she was chosen as the best female soloist in the past 50 years. In 2003, she was awarded France‘s Insignia de la Legion d’Honneur for her contributions to the music industry.

B.B.C. National Orchestra of Wales (f. 1935): begun under Director of Music, Idris Lewis; disbanded during W.W.ll; reorganized in l946 as a Welsh National Orchestra under such conductors as Mansel Thomas and Rae Jenkins. It moved to St. David’s Hall, Cardiff in l982 to become a full symphony orchestra and changed its name to BBC National Chorus of Wales in l993.

Beaumont, Hugh “Binkie”; (Hugh Griffiths Morgan (l908-l973); leading theatre impressario who began at Cardiff Playhouse and went on to London to manage Tallulah Bankhead in l925.

Bebb, Dewi (l938-l996): b. Bangor, a rugby great; debuted for Swansea in l958; began and ended his international career against England; he toured with the British Lions in S. Africa, N. Zealand, Australia and Canada.

Bebb, William Ambrose (l894-l955): from Cardiganshire; university lecturer and historian of Brittany and Wales who helped found Y Mudiand Cymreig in l924 that grew into Plaid Genedlaethol Cymru.

Bedell, William: contemporary businessman from Llandrindod Wells who designed the Horse Weigh in l992, a versatile mobile platform for weighing horses and cattle that is used worldwide.

Belenos: patron of fires and thermal springs; feast day is Beltaine, May lst.

Beli Mawr (c.55 B C): mentioned by Nennius as King of the Britons during the time of Caesar, from whom many prominent Welsh families traced their descent.

Bell, Sir Harold Idris (l879-l967): classical scholar, critic and translator, author of The Development of Welsh Poetry; Dafydd ap Gwilym and Fifty Poems; translator of Hanes Llenyddiaeth Gymraeg Hyd and much more.

Bellamy, Craig (b. 1979): b. Cardiff: feisty footballer who helped Wales defeat top European teams in 2002-3

Belle, John (b. l932): from Pontcanna, Cardiff; went to U.S. in l959, an architect who has helped restore some of New York City’s most famous landmarks, including the National Museum of Immigration on Ellis Island (named after a Welshman from Flintshire), Grand Central Terminal, the Rockefeller Center, the Chrysler Building and many others. His most ambitious project is the rebuilding of Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center’s Twin towers, demolished on September ll, 200l.

Bennett, Hywel (b. l944): b. Garnant, Amman Valley). A popular stage, radio, television and film actor

Bennett, Elinor (b. l945): internationally known, much sought-after harpist, for whom many distinguished composers have written works. With a law degree (Aberystwyth); trained under Osian Ellis at the Royal Academy of Music, has performed with such famous conductors as Barbirolli, Britten, Boult, Leinsdorf, and Colin Davies. She is undoubtedly the greatest harpist of contemporary Wales, with dozens of superb recordings and memorable concerts.

Bennett, Phil (b 1948): a rugby star with Llanelli; played 8 times for the British Lions, whom he captained in New Zealand (l977); his 29 caps for Wales helped win 3 Grand Slams and 4 Triple Crowns.

Bere, Cliff (1915-1997): one of a group of militant Welsh nationalists who founded the Republican Movement in the 1950’s, publishing the bi-monthly The Welsh Republican, sold in the streets. In 1957, he joined Plaid Cymru.

Bernard (l2th century): chaplain to Matilda, the wife of Henry lst, in lll5 he was appointed Bishop of St. David’s, where he vigorously opposed traditional Celtic monasteries in favor of closer ties with Rome. He popularized the cult of David, helping to spread his fame among Normans and Welsh.

Berry, Ron (b. l920): Rhondda novelist; an ex-miner, soldier and merchant sailor who has written short stories and plays for radio and television.

Beuno, St. (7th Century): saint whose many miracles include healing Gwenffrewi (Winefride) at Holywell.

Bevan, Aneurin (l897-l960): Labour M.P. for Ebbw Vale for 3l years (elected in l929) “the father of the modern welfare state.” An ex-miner and fiery, witty speaker, as Minister of Health in l945, he helped created the National Health Service (that may have been modeled after a community health scheme at Tredegar). In a long, distinguished political career, Bevan fought hard for the rights of the common people. He was chairman of his local Miner’s Lodge at age l9, becoming one of the leaders of the South Wales miners in the General Strike of l926. Sadly ignoring an important part of his heritage, he wanted little to do with the Welsh language or with Welsh aspirations for independence but is revered for his socialist ideas, his concerns, and his social welfare accomplishments. In 2004, he won a Western Mail poll as the greatest Welsh hero.

Bevan, Derek (b. l947): b. Clydach, Swansea Valley, internationally known rugby referee for 32 years, retiring in l999-2000 season.

Bidgood, Ruth (b. l922): a Swansea Valley poet and historian, with awards from the Welsh Arts Council.

Bielski, Alison (b. l92l): a poet from Newport, Gwent who draws on Welsh mythology and folklore.

Black Bart (see Roberts, Bartholemew).

Black Prince, the (l330 –l376): Prince Edward, son of Edward 111 of England; he slew the King of Bohemia at the Battle of Crecy in l346, taking his plume of three feathers with the German motto Ich Dien (I Serve) as his own to make it a badge of the English-born Princes of Wales ever since.

Blackborow, Perce (l895-l949): from Newport, Gwent, at age l9, he stowed away on the Endurance to become its steward on the l9l4-l9l8 Shackleton Voyage to the South Pole.

Blackwell, John (Alun, l797-l84l): Mold, Flintshire poet remembered for his lyrical poems.

Bleddyn Fardd (d. l283): one of the last of the Poets of the Princes; his poem on the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd compares the Welsh prince to King Priam.

Bledri ap Cydifor (early l2th century): Carmarthen; a master of romance, perhaps responsible for the ancient Welsh tales of Tristan and Iseult and the Quest for the Holy Grail entering medieval European literature.

Bluebirds, the: Cardiff’s football team who have witnessed both victory and defeat in equal, epic proportions, In 1927 it took the F.A. Cup out of England for the only time in history by defeating Arsenal. In the season 2003-4, it was promoted to the First Division of the Football League (the Championship League).

Boadicea (Boudica, lst Century A.D.) Buddug, Queen of the Iceni, who led a revolt against the Romans, capturing Londinium and St. Albans, but was later defeated by Paulinus, her tribe and lands destroyed.

Boston, Billy (b. 1934): b. Cardiff; rugby star. With Wigan’s Rugby League side in 1954, he scored 36 tries in 36 games in a tour of Australia.

Bowen, David James (b. l925): historian of medieval Welsh poetry, specifically that of Dafydd ap Gwilym and Gruffud Hiraethog.

Bowen, Edward George (l9ll-l99l): from Swansea, a Fellow of the Royal Society, After his pioneer work in radar in the l930’s, he became head of the team that solved the problem of how to operate radar inside airplanes. Moving to Australia in l944, he helped construct its first radio telescope.

Bowen, Emrys George (l900-93): historian, author of Wales, A Study in Geography and History (l94l), The Settlements of the Celtic Saints in Wales (l954); and Saints, Seaways, and Settlements (l969).

Bowen, Euros (l904-l988): Rhondda-born classical scholar, priest and controversial poet, Crown winner, and translator of Latin and Greek into Welsh.

Bowen, Geraint (b. l9l5): poet, patriot, educator, editor, former Archdruid of Wales, a master of traditional meters of Welsh poetry.

Bowen, Geraint (b. l963): born London, from l989 to l995 organist at Hereford Cathedral where he founded the Hereford Bach Choir and helped organize the Three Choirs Festivals; went to St. David’s in l995 as master of choristers and artistic director of the Cathedral Festival; he founded the Cathedral Festival Choirs, has made many broadcasts on BBC and returned to Hereford in 200l.

Bowen, Robin Hugh (b. 1957): globe-trotting harpist born in Liverpool to Welsh speaking family, he specializes in Welsh folk and gypsy music. Won awards for the music he composed for the Welsh-language film Eldra in 2002. Plays with Crasdant.

Bowen, Jeremy (b. l960): from Cardiff, the Middle East correspondent for the BBC, reporting on the front lines in many different areas of conflinct. In l995 the won the Bayeux Award for reporting and in l996, the award for best breaking news report for coverage of the assisintation of President Rabin of Israel.

Bower, Iris (b. 1915): from Cardigan, with the R.A.F. Nursing Service, Iris was the first woman to land on the Normandy beaches on D-Day, 1944. A widow at the time, she was awarded the MBE and many army medals.

Bowmen of Agincourt (l9l4: in “The Bowmen,” (The London Evening News, 29 Sep, l9l4), Arthur Machen used the historical fact of the Welsh archers’ success at Agincourt (l4l5) to write a fictional account of the appearance of their ghosts helping a British company against the Germans at Mons in W.W.l. The story later came to be recorded as fact.

Boyce, Max (b. l943): from Glynneath, near Swansea; former miner; singer and all-round entertainer. His first L.P. was Live at Treorchy; his most famous song is “Hymns and Arias.” Max received the M.B.E. in the year 2000.

Brangwyn, Frank (l867-l956): painter born in Bruges to Welsh parents. His huge British Empire Panels, showing scenes from mythology, history and nature, rejected by Parliament, are found in the Guildhall, Swansea.

Bromwich, Rachel (b. l9l5): scholar in Celtic languages and literature, editor of Trioedd Ynys Prydein, a dictionary of the characters of Welsh legend (l96l), the Celtic sources of Arthuriana, the poetry of Dafydd ap Gwilym and others.

Broom, Sir Ivor Gordon (l921-2003): b. Cardiff; a W.W 11 hero with the RAF. He later flew over the North Pole and set a trans-Atlantic flying record between Ottowa and London. In l956, he helped set up the Bomber Command Development Unit.

Broughton, Rhoda (l840-l920): from Denbigh, poet and novelist with 25 novels and many short stories

Brunt, Sir David (l886-l965): b. Abertillery; a Fellow of the Royal Society “the father of meteorology” began in the military in W.W.l to utilize his study of statistics to the new science of weather forecasting.

Brute, Walter (l390-l402): cleric who affirmed the authority of the Gospel over that of the Church, believing that the Britons, the ancestors of the Welsh, had originally received Christianity from the East, and not from Rome.

Brutus (ll70 B.C): the earliest Briton, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth, having fled Troy when the Greeks captured the city. His sons Locrinus, Camber, and Albanactus created the kingdoms of Lloegr (England), Cambria (Wales), and Alba (Scotland).

Brynach, St. (5th-6th century): Brynach Wyddel (the Irishman) after whom some churches in South Wales are named (see entry for Nevern).

Bulkeley: an Anglesey family dominant in politics and social affairs for hundreds of years.

Burgess, Thomas (l756-l837): Bishop of St. David’s (l803-l823, helped found St. David’s College, Lampeter, in l822.

Burrows, Stuart (b. l933): b. Cilfynydd, world class lyric tenor at major opera houses; debuted at the Royal Opera House in l967 and stayed for 35 years. His TV program Stuart Burrows Sings ran for eight years. He appeared in the S4C series Gwlad y Gan (Land of Song) and adjudicated vocal contests.

Burton, Richard (Richard Jenkins, l925-l984): internationally known actor in theatre and movies. From Pontrhydyfen, Port Talbot, debuted in The Last Days of Dolwen, achieved stardom for his Shakespeare roles, then The Robe, and many other Hollywood films, gained a reputation for his majestic theatrical voice, varied acting abilities, heavy drinking and for being married twice to Elizabeth Taylor.

Bute: family important in industry and politics. The 1st Marquis restored Cardiff Castle; the 2nd Marquis developed the Bute Dock in l839 leading to Cardiff’s phenomenal growth as a leading exporter of coal. The 3rd Marquis completed restoration of Cardiff castle.

Butler, Eleanor (l739-l829) and Ponsonby (l735-l83l): “the Ladies of Llangollen” whose home Plas Newydd became a mecca for many distinguished visitors, including Shelley, Lord Byron, and Sir Walter Scott.

Button, Admiral Sir Thomas (d. l634): from St. Lythans, sailed under Drake, Hawkins and Raleigh, commanded ships in l609; a member of the Incorporated Discoverers to look for the North-West Passage, he was the first man to reach the west coast of American via Hudson’s Straits; later appointed Admiral of the Irish Seas, he chased Barabary corsairs, Turkish and French ships.