Haines Davies, Arfon: b. Caernarfon, he joined HTV in l978 as an announcer, dto become one of its star presenters and a popular figure on Welsh television, presenting many programs inlcuiding Wales at Six and children’s events.

Hall, Augusta Waddington: (see Lady Llanover).

Hall, Benjamin (l802-l867): M.P. Monmouth Boroughs; a strong advocate of the use of Welsh in religious services. When Parliament refused to sanction its use in the Church of England in Wales, he built his own church, later donating it to the Methodists. He introduced the 1831 Truck Act to end the truck system, a major cause of discontent in Wales. "Big Ben," the bell of the famous clock at Westminster is named after him. He was married to Lady Llanover.

Hanbury, John (l664-l734): from Pontypool, a pioneer in the tinplate industry who produced rolled iron sheets known as “blackplate.”

Hannan, Patrick: (b. l94l): Aberdare writer and broadcaster for more than thirty years, industrial editor of The Western Mail, he spent thirteen years as BBC Wales' political correspondent, followed by six years producing television documentaries for BBC Two and BBC Wales and six years as presenter of Good Evening Wales. A newspaper columnist and a regular broadcaster on Radio Four for more than two decades, he is the editor of two books on broadcasting and the author of three books on contemporary Wales.

Hardie, James Keir (1856-1915): elected from Merthyr Tydfil in l900, Scotsman Hardy was the very first Labour M.P. in Britain; he wore his cloth deer-stalker's hat in the House of Commons to signify his working class origin.

Harding, Lyn (David Llewellyn (1867-1952): b. St. Bride’s, Newport; actor of stage, screen and radio. He performed Glendower with the BBC at age 80.

Harlech, Lord (William) David Ormsby-Gore, 5th Baron Harlech (1918-1985): from Brogyntyn, Shropshire. British poitician who served in special Commando units during WW 11. Conservative M.P. for Oswestry, he served as minister of State for Foreign Affairs and also as Ambassador to the U.S. He later had a successful career as a TV executive.

Harris, John (d. 1839): magician, from Cwrtycadno, Carmarthen, visited by those seeking a spell, a cure for sickness or a forecast of the future.

Harris, Joseph (Gomer, l773-l825): from Llantydewi, Pembs; he published sermons in Welsh and English; also began and edited the first weekly newspaper in Welsh, “Seren Gomer in l8l4 that became the official journal of the Welsh Baptists Union in l880.

Harris, Hywel (1714-73): called the "father of the Methodist Revival in Wales," whose preaching activities led to thousands of converts.

Harry, Lyn: (1926- 2006): from Llanelli, educated at the Royal College of Music; Conductor Emeritus of the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir, which he founded in l977. A former founder and conductor of the London Welsh Male Choir, then Music Director of the Morriston Orpheus, Swansea, before moving to Canada to teach at the Royal Hamilton College of Music.

Hartmann, Dr. Edward G. (19l2-1995): Wilkes-Barre, Pa., son of Welsh-born mother, he taught at Suffolk University, New York. A pioneer in American ethnic history, his Cymry yn y Cwm: The Welsh of Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley (l958) and Americans from Wales (1979, rpt 2001), it is considered the definitive work on Welsh immigration to the U.S.

Hartson, John (b. 1975): b. Swansea, Welsh-international footballer with Glasgow Celtic (Britain’s top scorer in 1987-8 season).

Hedd Wyn: (see Ellis, Humphrey Evans).

Heilyn, Rowland (l562-l63l): London merchant of Welsh descent who used his wealth to publish Welsh books, including Y Beibl Bach of 1660.

Helena, St. (3-4th Century): the daughter of King Coel of Caer Collen (Colchester) and Stradwan (the daughter of Cadwan, King of North Wales). She married Constantius, Roman commander in Britain, later Emperor of the Western Empire. Their son Constantine became Emperor of Rome. Helena founded many Christian churches on the Continent and was responsible for choosing and thus commemorating Christian sites in the Holy Land.

Hemans, Felicia (1793-1835): poet raised at Gwrych Castle, Abergele. Welsh Melodies of l82l included her Casablanca, a favorite recitation piece (“The boy stood on the burning deck”).

Henry, Rhiannon (b. l987): disabled Bridgend swimmer with 4 Gold medals at IBSA World Games (Quebec) and Welsh Young Athlete of the Year (2003).

Herbert, Edward (1583-1648): the eldest Herbert brother; philosopher, writer; ambassador to France under James 1st. Known as "the father of deism." He became Lord Herbert of Cherbury for his services.

Herbert, George (1593-1633): b. Montgomery Castle, he was one of the Metaphysical School of poets led by John Donne. His poems, including the collection The Temple, were published after his death.

Herbert, William of Raglan: went to Parliament in 1461 as Baron Herbert, the first Welshman to become part of the English aristocracy, beginning a tradition that was to drain Wales of its many of its important potential leaders.

Herbert, Winifred (Lady Nithsdale 1665-1749): when her Jacobite husband was imprisoned at the Tower of London, Winifred, daughter of the Marquis of Powys, helped him escape disguised as her maid.

Heseltine, Michael Ray D. (b. 1932): b. Swansea; former M.P.for Tavistock, Defense Secretary in l983, he was Secretary of State for the government under John Major; with the Board of Trade under Thatcher, he presided over the closure of 31 mines. He resigned from the Cabinet in l983 over the sale of Westland helicopters that caused an outrage in Parliament. His publishing business has made him one of Britain’s richest millionaires.

Hewlett, Sylvia Ann (b. l946): b. Bridgend, taught at Columbia University and for six years was the Executive Director of the Economic Policy Council, New York. Sylvia founded the National Parenting Association in l993 to develop family friendly policies in the workplace and the wider community. Her many books include When the Bough Breaks.

Hoddinott, Alun (b. l929): from Bargoed, Mid-Glamorgan; a distinguished composer. Former head of the music department at Cardiff University; founder of the Cardiff Music Festival and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales; he has won many awards for his musical compositions; became Doctor of Music in 1960; and awarded O.B.E. in 1991.

Hodge, Sir Julian (l905-2004): one of Britain’s richest men, Sir Julian began as a railway clerk, began Hodge Bank in Cardiff, later helping to make the city an important financial centre. An important benefactor of Cardiff University, he established the Chair in Banking and Finance. Adamantly opposed to the creation of an Assembly for Wales, he spearheaded the “No” campaign.

Homfray: a family of iron masters including Francis (l726-98), whose Penydarren factory bored cannon, Jeremiah (l759-l833), who began the iron works at Ebbw Vale, and Samuel, who helped finance the Glamorgan Canal in l795 to carry iron to Cardiff.

Honorable Society of Cymmrodorion: begun in London by Richard Morris in the l770's to give Wales a society equal to the English Royal Society.

Hooson, Isaac Daniel (1880-948): Rhosllanerchrugog, near Wrexham, whose works, found in Cerddi a Baledi (Songs and Ballads, l936) are very popular with young folk as eisteddfod recitations.

Hopkin, Mary (1950): the Pontardawe girl with the lovely voice. Her Those Were the Days outsold all others in l968, surpassing even Hey Jude.

Hopkins, Sir Anthony (b. 1937): b. Port Talbot, studied at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and RADA. He acted at the Old Vic under Laurence Olivier; in a long stage and film career won an Oscar for Silence of the Lambs. His films include Howard's End, Armistad, The Elephant Man, The End of the Day, Nixon, and Meet Joe Black and the Hannibal Lecter series. In l996, he started directing stage plays with August, an adaption of Chekov's Uncle Vanya. Awarded the O.B.E. by the Queen in l987, he became a U.S. citizen in 2000. Donated a million pounds to help preserve the footpaths of Snowdonia.

Hopkins, Gerard Manley (1844-89): English poet; after his theology studies at St. Asaph (Llanelwy) in Clwyd, his work was greatly influenced by his learning of the Welsh language and the form of cynghanedd. A major influence on Dylan Thomas, he also attributed the Welsh landscape to his maturing as a poet.

Horner, Arthur Lewis (1894-1968): b. Merthyr Tydfil; miners' leader and British Communist, whose tireless work with the S. Wales Miners' Federation and the National Union of Mineworkers endeared him to trade unionists and miners.

Houston, Donald (1923-l991): b. Rhondda, actor debuted with Jean Simmons in Blue Lagoon in l949, starting a long career in film, television and theatre.

Howard, Michael (b. l94l): b. Llanelli, who became led the Tory Party in 2003, following Ian Duncan Smith. Was President of the Cambridge Union in l962; debuted as M.P. for Folkstone and Hythe in l983; Home Secretary l993-l997.

Howard-Jones, Ray (l903-l996): artist and writer from Penarth who was a star student at the Slade and one of the few female artists during World War ll, remembered chiefly for her landscapes of Pembrokeshire.

Howe, Geoffrey (Lord Howe, b. l926): Aberavon-born, politician, the longest survivor of Maggie Thatcher’s original l979 cabinet; Tory M.P. for Bebbington, Cheshire in l964; Solicitor General in l970, then head of the Dept of Trade and Chancellor of the Exchequer and later Foreign Secretary. As Deputy Prime Minister, he fought for Britain’s entry into the European Union.

Howell, Gwynne (b. 1938): leading bass with the Royal Opera, debuted at Covent Garden Opera, l970; and starred at New York Metropolitan, l985.

Howell, James (l593-l666): b. Abernant, Carms; Secretary to the Council for the North in l626 and a year later M.P. for Bichmond, Yorkshire. He was appointed Historiographer Royal in l66l with forty books to his name. His Parly of Beasts (l660) was a literary defence of Wales.

Howell, Dr. Kim (b. l946): from Merthyr; art critic and culture minister; lectured and researched coalfield issues before being elected as Labour M.P. for Pontypridd in l989. Has been Consumer and Corporate Affairs Minister, and Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting, from which position he has let fly at all and sundry in the art world and the music and film industry.

Howells, Geraint (l925-2004): sheep farmer from Aberystwyth, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, MP for Ceredigion and N. Pembroke, began as an Independent in l952 with Cardiganshire County Council. He is a member of the Gorsedd of Bards.

Howley, Robert (b. 1970): from Bridgend, rugby scrum half and captain of Wales; debuted vs. Scotland in l993.

Hudson-Williams, Thomas (l873-l96l): b. Caernarfon, scholar and translator, lectured in Greek, Latin, French and Celtic at Bangor, published many translations from Russian into Welsh.

Hugh of Rhuddlan (Hue De Rotelande, ll80-90): author of romances in the Norman-French dialect, he is considered a pioneer in the literary genre.

Hughes, Annie Harriet (Gwyneth Vaughan, l852-l9l0): from Penrhyndeudraeth, Welsh writer of note, a fervent nationalist and supporter of Cymru Fydd,

Hughes, Beti (l926-8l): from St. Clears, Carms. A teacher of Welsh: deputy head at Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen: a prolific writer of popular novels.

Hughes, Brian: from Ponciau, well-known contemporary composer, onductor, accompanist and vocal consultant. Many years was Chorus Master and head of Opera music Staff at the Royal northern Colelge of Music; has studied as accompanist to Joan Hammond, Joan Sutherland, and Sherill MIlnes. With son Daniel and daughter Miriam forms the musical group A Family Affair.

Hughes, Charles Evans (l862-l948): eminent Welsh-American (his father came from Tredegar), Governor of New York, influential Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, he narrowly lost the l9l6 presidential election.

Hughes, Cledwyn (1920-78): Powys novelist and topographical writer; works include The Civil Strangers (l949) and Portrait of Snowdonia (l967).

Hughes, Cledwyn (Lord Cledwyn, 1916-2001): born in Holyhead, trained as a solicitor, served in the Royal Air Force. Elected Labour M.P. for Anglesey in l95l; Welsh Secretary in l966, served as minister for Commonwealth relations, Agriculture Minister, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party (l974-79). He became a life peer in l979, bravely supporting devolution amid much hostility, even from his own party.

Hughes, David Edward (1831-1900): from Corwen, Merionethshire; he went to the U.S. at age five; he was the first to transmit and receive radio waves (eight years before Heinrich Hertz). Professor of music at St. Joseph's College, Bardstown, Kentucky, he also patented a type printing telegraph and invented a forerunner of the carbon microphone.

Hughes, Edwin (Balaclava Ned, l830-1927): Wrexham-born, the last survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade. Injured in the attack and his horse killed, Edwin had a boot trapped under his horse and pulled one off a Russian corpse to get back to his lines.

Hughes, Ezekial (l766-l849): from Llanbrynmair, Montgomery who along with William Bebb, led a party of Welsh men and women to settle at Ft. Washington at the junction of the Big Miami and the Ohio in l796 (now called Cincinnati).

Hughes, Gareth (1894-1965): from Llanelli who arrived in America back in 1914 with the Welsh Players a small theater group and became Wales' first broadway and Hollywood star, appearing in many films in the early years,

Hughes, Hugh (1790-1863): b. Llandudno, artist and publisher whose famous map Dame Venedotia, alias Modryb Gwen (Auntie Gwen) of l845 shows Wales as an old lady carrying a large bundle on her back. His The Beauties of Cambria (1823) helped establish North Wales as a tourist venue.

Hughes, John (1775-1854): Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, Mont.; Calvinist-Methodist minister, husband of maid Ruth Evans, who memorized the poetry and hymns of Ann Griffiths. He preserved Ann's hymns and letters and wrote biographies of fellow Methodists.

Hughes, John (l850-l932): b. Swansea; religious leader and writer; Moderator of the Methodist General Assembly, he wrote a number of theological works.

Hughes, John Ceiriog (Ceiriog, 1832-1887): from the Ceiriog valley in Clwyd, Hughes wrote of rural scenes and characters in poetry full of hiraeth (longing). A favorite of schoolchildren, he is much recited at youth eisteddfodau. He provided lyrics for the traditional folk tune The Ash Grove.

Hughes, John G. M. (Moelwyn, l866-l944): from Tantygrisiau, Mer. prolific poet and hymn writer.

Hughes, Mark (b. l963): (the Ledge) from Wrexham, international footballer with Manchester United with five cup winner’s medals; awarded M.B.E. in 1998; became manager of Wales in 2001, leading his team to remarkable triumphs,

Hughes, Nathan (b. l924): from Penygroes, Carms; former chief engineer at TWW and General Manager of Teledu Cymru in Cardiff, founder of the Dallas Welsh American Society, former board member of NWAF and member of the Gorsedd.

Hughes, Nerys (b. l94l): from Rhyl, actresss appeared in countless TV dramas and comedies, including the all-‘Welsh language “How Green Was My Valley.” Nerys has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as pantomime; she is a tireless worker for better health services in rural communities.

Hughes, Owain Arwel (b.1942): conductor of the world's finest orchestras and composers, including his 25 years with the Halle Orchestra. The driving force behind the Welsh Proms, he has conducted the Helsinki Philharmonic and the Prague Symphony, and has been a major music broadcaster with the BBC.

Hughes, Richard (1794-1871): publisher of religious works, the poetry of John Ceiriog Hughes, Sankey and Moody hymns, the novels of Daniel Owen; and the periodical Y Llenor (l922-l952).

Hughes, Richard Cyril (b. l932): Anglesey-born writer of the life and times of Catrin of Berain.

Hughes, Richard Samuel (1855-88): Aberystwyth-born songwriter, famous for his accompaniment at National Eisteddfod; his songs include “Arafa Don” and “Suo Gan” (lullaby featured in the film Empire of the Sun.

Hughes, Roy (Lord Islwyn, l922-2004): M.P. for Newport, for 3l years before going to the House of Lords. He fought hard for miners’ rights.

Hughes, Stephen (1622-88): religious leader, "The Apostle of Carmarthenshire,” who translated many works into Welsh, including the New Testament (l672), the Bible (l678), and Pilgrim's Progress (l688).

Hughes, Thomas Rowland (1903-49): b. Llanberis, produced feature programs for the BBC at Cardiff in the l930's; wrote plays and poetry but is more well-known for his five novels, including Chwalfa, about the Penrhyn lockouts.

Hughes, William Morris ("the Little Digger," 1864-1952): Prime Minister of Australia from l9l5-l923. From Llandudno, he emigrated in l884, to become a mainstay of Australian politics for 50 years with the Labour Party and highly praised for his leadership and support of Britain during WW.I.

Hughes de Jones, Irma (l9l9-2003): born in Treorky, Chubut Province, Argentina, Irma won the Chair at the Patagonia Eisteddfod six times. Editor of Y Drafod, the Welsh language newspaper in Chubut for fifty years, Irma was initiated into the Gorsedd in l969.

Hughes Jones, Gareth: accomplished contemporary musician, former conductor of Côr Meibion Caernarfon and producer for Sain Records.

Hughes Jones, Gwyn (b. l969): from Llanbedrgoch, Gwynedd; an international star of opera, he won the Kathleen Ferrier Scholarship l992, debuted with the Welsh National Opera in 1995. After switching from baritone to tenor, had starring roles at Paris, Lyon, Brussels, and Trondheim and finally a place at the New York Metropolitan Opera’s Nabucco in 2005.

Hughesovska, (Yuzovk) Russia: named for John Hughes, Merthyr, who built iron and steel works in 1869 with Welsh workers; renamed Donetsk in 196l.

Humphries, Beverley: renowned opera star in BBC Wales’ Showtime; has sung with the Welsh National Opera and at concerts worldwide. In l992, she became the first singer in the history of Welsh rugby to lead the singing at the National Stadium.

Humphries, Edward Morgan (1882-1955): journalist at the Liverpool Daily Post and the Manchester Guardian, who saw the importance of producing interesting Welsh language reading material for young children. Humphreys,

Humphreys Emyr (b. 1919): b. Prestatyn, Flintshire, raised in Welsh-speaking Trelawnydd. Widely read short-story writer with A Man's Estate, Outside the House of Baal and other works that put him in the front rank of Britain’s literary men. His masterful patriotic works re-affirm the heritage of Wales.

Humphrey, Humphrey (l648-l7l2): from Penryndeudraeth, Mont; Bishop of Bangor (l689 and Hereford (l70l), a supporter of S.P.C.K, he helped publish many books and encourage Welsh authors.

Humphries, Joshua (175l-1838): son of Daniel, of Merionethshire, and Hannah, daughter of Thomas Wynne of Pennsylvania. He designed frigates for the American navy, including the Constitution (“Old Ironsides”). He helped prove the superiority of these ships against the navies of France and Britain. He can rightly be called “The Father of the U.S. Navy”.

Humphries, Llewelyn Morris (Murray the Hump, 1899-1965): born to Welsh parents in Chicago; a trusted underling of Al Capone, organizing the crime syndicate’s successful infiltration of legitimate businesses; said to have originated expressions “money laundering" and "being taken to the cleaners."

Humphries, Mary (b. 1865): the first Welsh child born in Patagonia.

Humphrys, John (b. l943): from Splott, Cardiff; changed his name from Humphries, the name of a colleague at the Western Mail. Has spent over 40 years as a journalist; was the youngest foreign correspondent with BBC, which he joined in l966. He is the long-serving presenter of Radio 4’s Today program.

Hurn, David (b. l934): born in England to a Welsh family and proud of his Cardiff roots, he is internationally known for his reportage photographs, including many of changing Bute Town, Cardiff.

Hyder: a Cardiff-based company renamed from Welsh Water PLC that employs about 7,500 people in 30 countries providing water, energy, transport infrastructure and business services.

Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd (d. ll70): prince and poet, who fought against his own brothers and sided with the Normans against the Lord Rhys. The earliest extant love poetry in Welsh, his praise of womanly beauty greatly influenced later poets.

Hywel ap Gruffudd (Hywel y Fwyall, d. l38l): a professional soldier who commanded a group of Welshmen at Crecy (l346) and fought courageously at Poitiers (l356) with his battle axe.

Hywel Dda (Howell the Good: d. 950): Hwyel ap Cadell ruled a large part of Wales in the l0th century, bringing a period of peace and stability. His codification of Welsh law, Cyfraith Hywel, was one of the glories of Europe; some of its provisions were far ahead of anything produced in English law for a millenium, especially those dealing with the status of the victim and with the rights of women. Hywel was the only Welsh king to have coins bearing his name.