Life
Williams was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. His father, a primary school teacher from Pembrokeshire, spoke Welsh and his mother spoke English. In his early years he himself spoke only English.
In 1911 his father was appointed headteacher of the primary school at Mynachlog-ddu, Pembrokeshire and it was there that Waldo Williams learnt to speak Welsh. In 1915 Williams's father moved to be headteacher of Brynconin School, the primary school at Llandysilio, Pembrokeshire.
After attending the Grammar School at Narberth, Pembrokeshire he studied at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth where he graduated in English in 1926. Afterwards he trained as a teacher and worked in various schools in Pembrokeshire, the rest of Wales and England including Kimbolton School. He also taught night classes organised by the Department of Extre-Mural Studies, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.
Williams married in 1941, but his wife died in 1943, and he did not remarry.
During the Korean War he refused to pay his income tax on pacifist grounds. He continued his protest until the ending of compulsory military service in 1963. During his campaigning he was sent to prison.
He stood as a parliamentary candidate for Plaid Cymru in the Pembrokeshire constituency at the 1959 General Election when he won 4.32% (2.253) of the votes.
He died in 1971 at St. Thomas's Hospital, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire and is buried at Blaenconin Chapel burial ground in Llandysilio.
Read more about this topic: Waldo Williams
Famous quotes containing the word life:
“I favor the policy of economy, not because I wish to save money, but because I wish to save people. The men and women of this country who toil are the ones who bear the cost of the Government. Every dollar that we carelessly waste means that their life will be so much the more meager. Every dollar that we prudently save means that their life will be so much the more abundant. Economy is idealism in its most practical terms.”
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)
“For every life and every act
Consequence of good and evil can be shown
And as in time results of many deeds are blended
So good and evil in the end become confounded.”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)
“Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile,
Hath not old custom made this life more sweet
Than that of painted pomp?”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)