Salesbury, William (l520-l584): scholar; an important pioneer of publishing in Welsh; he translated the scriptures, beginning with Kynniver Llyth a Ban, the main text of the l553 Prayer Book, and a translation of the New Testament (l567), thus leading to the translation of the whole Bible by Bishop Morgan.

Samwell, David (Dafydd Ddu Feddyg, Black David the Doctor, l75l-98): doctor on Captain Cook's The Discovery, who wrote of the death of his captain and of his adventures in the South Seas. With Iolo Morganwg, he helped found the Gwyneddigion and the Gorsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain.

Saunders, Erasmus (l670-l724): Anglican priest who wrote the history of his church, a primary source for l8th century Welsh religious history.

Scarlets, the: Llanelli's rugby team, whose Stradey Park has been the scene of many a famous victory, including the 9-3 win over New Zealand October 3l, l972. The team has provided many players for Wales.

Scotch Cattle: a workers’ group who fought against their exploitation by the iron mastersmin thew early part of the l9th century. Named after a herd of prize cattle owned by a Monmouthshire iron magnate, they destroyed property, attacking workers who refused to go along. In l834 their leader Edward Morgan was captured and hanged.

Secombe, Sir Harry (l921-2001): one of Britain's most-loved entertainers, rising to prominence as a comedian with the famous Goon Show (l949-l958), Swansea-born Harry sang at the London Palladium, acted in several films, including Oliver, and starred in television, including Songs of Praise.

Secretary of State for Wales: since 1970, the Secretaries of State for Wales have been the following: Peter Thomas (1970); John Morris (l974-5); Nicholas Edwards (1979-1985); Peter Walker (1987); David Hunt (l990-92); John Redwood (1993-94); William Hague (l995-96); Ron Davies (l997-2002); and Paul Murphy (l999-2002, and Peter Hain (2002-present).

Seiriol, St. (6th century): saint connected with Anglesey and Ynys Seiriol (Puffin Island).

Selyf (d. 6l5): King of Powys killed fighting the Northumbrians at the momentous Battle of Chester.

Sheen, Michael (b. l969): from Newport, Gwent, actor who played Mozart in the Broadway production of Amadeus (1999).

Siddons, Sarah (l755-l833): famous actress born in a tavern in Brecon. Of her, William Hazlitt wrote “Passion emanated from her breast as from a shrine.”

Silures: a tribe of southeast Wales recorded by Roman historian Tacitus. Led by Caratacus, they offered strong resistance to the Roman invaders, but were finally forcible settled in Venta Silurium (Caerwent). Their prowess in battle continued as mercenaries for English kings in campaigns against the French.

Sion Cain (l575-l630): the last herald poet to travel through North Wales.

Sion Cent (l5th C.): a master of satire who wrote that worldly reality is mere illusion. His literary skills greatly influenced later Welsh poets.

Sion Corn: Father Christmas (Santa Claus).

Sion Dafi (l44l-68): b. Cemais, Montgomery; a professional soldier and favorite of Edward lV; he had a hand cut off and replaced by one of silver.

Sion Tudor (l522-l602): St. Asaph; satirical poet, one of the last poets of the Gentry.

Siwan (Joan: ll95-l237): daughter of English King John and wife of Llywelyn Fawr (Llywelyn the Great), reconciled to her husband after an affair with a Marcher Lord (who was hanged for his part).

Smith, David (b. l945): Tonypandy historian, critic, and college lecturer. Has written on Welsh industry and rugby, and produced a TV series.

Smith, Ray (1936-1991): Rhondda actor began at Swansea's Grand Theatre played a "heavy" on BBC T.V.

Snell and Sons (f. 1900): the famous Swansea Company that is the largest publisher of Welsh music. Surviving the great blitz of World War Two, it continues its catalog of traditional and popular Welsh music that is sold throughout the world. “Sending to Snell’s” is a tradition in Welsh music.

South Wales Borderers (f. l689 as Dering’s Regiment of Foot): an infantry regiment now part of the Royal Regiment of Wales; has served with distinction with over l00 battle honors gained with Marlborough in Europe, in the American War for Independence, and in both World Wars. In the movie Zulu, they were shown winning acclaim for their heroic stand at Rorke's Drift in l879.

South Wales Miners' Federation (the Fed, b. l898): following the arrival of the newspaper Llais Llafur (the Voice of Labour), “the Fed” began in l898 with Mabon its first president; its quarter of a million members temporarily dominated life in the Valleys.

Southall, John Edward (l855-l928): b. Leominster, Hereford, but set up printing press in Newport where he wrote books on the Welsh language and bilingual texts for Welsh schools.

Southall, Neville (b. 1958): from Llandudno, played in goal for Everton 750 times, with 93 appearances for Wales. Voted “Footballer of the Year” in l985.

Speed, Gary (b. l969): from Flintshire, the most experienced footballer in the Premier League. Left Everton for Leeds to win the championship l992; then moved to Newcastle. By March, 2004 he had played for Wales over 75 times.

Spencer, Lady Diana Frances (196l-1997): the most well-known and best loved Princess of Wales in history, Diana came into her title upon her marriage to Prince Charles in 198l at St. Paul’s, London, in a ceremony televised world wide. Diana had lived with her divorced father, Earl Spencer, her two elder sisters, and her younger brother at Althorp. She gave birth to William in 1982 and Henry in 1984. Divorced in 1996 and throwing herself into charitable and humane causes, she was killed in a car crash in Paris.

Spinetti, Vincent (b. l932): actor born at Cwm, Ebbw Vale to Italian parents; appeared in three Beatles films. Trained at the Welsh College of Music and Drams, he debuted on the West End in Expresso Bongo; received Tony Award in New York for Oh What a Lovely War.

Spring, Howard (l889-l965): Cardiff born novelist whose tales set in the Welsh Valleys include Heaven Lies about Us, O Absalom!, and Fame is the Spur.

Spurrell, William (l833-89): Carmarthen printer who published works for the University of Wales and the National Library of Wales and several dictionaries. In l957, under new ownership, it became known as the Five Arches Press.

Squires, Dorothy (19l5-1998): singer from Pontyberem, Dorothy made her London debut in West End Cabaret in l936, going on to star in theaters all over Britain. Married for a time to Roger Moore, of James Bond fame, she made a remarkable comeback at the London Palladium in 1970 after a long absence before starring at Carnegi Hall, in New York in 1971. She died in the Rhondda after long struggles with illness divorce proceedings, and bankruptcy.

Stanley, Henry Morton (l84l-l904): journalist, explorer, finder of Livingstone in Africa, born as John Rowlands (an illegitimate child) at Denbigh, spent his childhood in an orphanage at St. Asaph befor moving to New Orleans at age l3, where he adopted the name of a wealthy merchant. After serving in the Confederate Army, he joined the New York Herald as a journalist in l867.

Stanton, Charles Butt (l873-l946): trade union leader, politician, friend and influence on Keir Hardie, whom he succeeded as Inedpendent Labour Party. M.P. for Merthyr in l9l5.

Steadman, Ralph (b. l936): brought up in Abergele, N. Wales; a prolific cartoonist and illustrator who has worked for Punch, Private Eye, The New Statemsman, and the Daily Telegraph and many books.

Steer, Irene: at Stockhom in l9l2, she was the first Welsh woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal (4xl00 metre relay in swimming.)

Stephens, Evan (1854-1930): b. Pencader, Carmarthen, went to Salt Lake City, to become first Director of the Salt Lake Choral Society in 1889.

Stephens, Meic (b. l938): writer, editor, prolific author on the culture of Wales, founder of the Triskel Press, the magazine Poetry Wales, and the literary director of the Welsh Arts Council.

Stephens, Thomas (l82l-75): antiquary and critic, eisteddfod winner and judge who set high literary standards, and author of The Literature of the Kymry (1849. He helped improve social conditions in Merthyr in a long, distinguished public career.

Stereophonics, the: popular rock group from Cwmaman whose road to success began with the release of Word Gets Around in August, l997.

Stevens, Matthew (b. l977): from Carmarthen, a world-class snooker player; voted Young Player of the Year in l998; won U.K. championship in 2003.

Stringer, Sir Howard (b.1942): b. Cardiff; Chief Executive Officer of Sony Corporation of America, previously Chairman of Tele-TV following a career as journalist, producer, and chief executive at CBS, l988-l995. Coming to the US in 1965, he served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. With many awards for his achievements and leadership in journalism, knighted in 2000, and appointed head of Sony in 2005, the first foreigner to head the Japanese Company.

Sulien (l0l0-9l): associated with Llanbadarn, where he set up a center of learning; and with St. David's, where he was twice Bishop.

Sullivan, Jim (l903): the most dominant player in the Rugby League, with a hundred or more goals in each of l8 consecutive seasons, scoring a total of 2,959 goals, 96 tries, and a grand total of 6,206 points. His record 204 goals in l93l-4 stood for 24 years. In one game alone, he kicked 24 goals.

Super Furry Animals: a music group (playing "acid-tinged fuzz-rock" that surfaced in Wales in the 90's). Based in Cardiff and enjoying a phenomenal success, the eccentric group will not perform on St. David's Day and has released albums entirely in Welsh.

Super Ted (b. 1982): with his friend Smotyn, one of Welsh television’s most popular characters.

Swansea Jack (l930’s): a retriever that lived down at the Swansea Docks who became famous for saving the lives of people and other dogs. He is commemorated by a carved stone and by a pub near the waterfront.