Edward Evan’s life and poetry uncover the fascinating blend of history, culture, and legend in Wales.
A new book, In Search of the Last Bard, explores the life and legacy of Edward Evan, an 18th-century Welsh poet.
Edward Evan, often referred to as “the last bard”, lived during a time of cultural change in Wales. While his poetry reflected the traditions of his rural upbringing, the title “last bard” was a creation of Edward Williams, better known by his bardic name Iolo Morganwg, a Welsh antiquarian, poet, and collector.
“The idea of Evan as ‘the last bard’ is more legend than fact,” said James Stewart, the book’s author. “Iolo Morganwg wanted to prove he was a descendant of ancient Welsh poets and had inherited a bardic tradition stretching back thousands of years, and Edward Evan became that person. Though it’s not entirely true, the story itself is fascinating because legends often reveal how people understand their past.”
The book also explores Evan’s many roles in his lifetime, including poet, musician, and cultural figure. His poetry, which was unpublished during his lifetime, gained widespread popularity a century later in industrialized South Wales. “Evan’s poetry was written in the old world, but it resonated deeply with a new industrial society,” James explained. “That contrast is interesting, and the book explores why his work remained so meaningful despite the dramatic changes in the world around it.”
Drawing heavily on Welsh-language sources, the book is one of the few English works to detail Evan’s life. “There’s very little written about him in English,” said James. “I wanted to make his story available to people who can’t read Welsh, while also uncovering new connections and insights.”
In addition to translating Evan’s poetry, the book examines the broader cultural and historical context of his time. Each chapter opens with a poem relevant to the themes discussed, offering readers insight into Evan’s creative world.
In Search of the Last Bard provides a detailed look at Edward Evan’s life and the myths that surround him. Now available in print and ebook formats, it invites readers to discover a poet whose legacy bridges the divide between fact and legend.