William Owen

1813–1893 · Bangor · Wales

A quarryman near Bangor, Owen learned music from local teachers and wrote his first hymn tune at eighteen. He led a temperance choir and in 1852 published Y Perl Cerddorol, a collection that sold three thousand copies. His tune BRYN CALFARIA became a favorite on both sides of the Welsh border, and he served as precentor at Caeathro chapel.