New book reveals how Welsh poet’s work connected rural past with industrial age.
A former BBC Wales journalist’s new book unveils the forgotten legacy of 18th century Wales through the life of one of its least-known poets.
James Stewart’s book In Search of the Last Bard, published in summer 2024, explores how Edward Evan’s poetry became popular in the industrial age, long after his death.
“South Wales changed from a rural area with traditional culture into the centre of industry,” said Stewart. “It’s fascinating that Evan’s poetry, written in the old rural world, became so popular in this new industrial society.”
Stewart worked at BBC Wales for many years before teaching journalism at Cardiff University. “I approach this as a journalist, not as a historian,” he said. “I ask questions like ‘Who exactly was this person?’ or ‘What was life like at that time?’ I want to tell accurate stories about the past that people find interesting to read.”
During his five years of research, Stewart visited many libraries across Wales to find old copies of Evan’s poetry. “I wrote this book in English because very little has been written about Evan in English before,” Stewart said. “I wanted more people to know about him.” He translated parts of Evan’s Welsh poems and put them at the start of each chapter to help readers understand the life in 18th century Wales.
The book looks at why people called Evan “the last bard.” This title came from Edward Williams, better known as Iolo Morganwg, a well-known Welsh writer of his time. “It wasn’t completely true,” Stewart said. “But legends are just as interesting as facts because they become facts in themselves. People keep telling these stories until they become part of our history.”
Stewart visited the places where Evan lived and worked, looking through old records to learn about his life. “In Britain, we’re lucky because there are many records from 200 or 300 years ago. We can find out a lot about how people lived then,” he said.
“There’s a good quote at the end of the book,” Stewart added. “It talks about remembering who you are and where you come from. The landscape means more when you know the history of the people who lived there.”
In Search of the Last Bard is available on Amazon in both print and eBook formats.