Fonds GB 0210 MSROBSN - Robinson manuscripts

Thomas Bevan (Caradawc or Caradawc y Fenni), antiquary, was born in Talybont, Breconshire. While living and working in London, Bevan became acquainted with a number of Welsh literatti and immersed himself in the Welsh literary scene. On his return to Wales, Bevan settled in Monmouthshire and, in 1833, was appointed secretary of the Abergavenny Cymreigyddion Society (Cymdeithas Cymreigyddion y Fenni). Despite a scant literary output, Bevan was a capable poet in his own right and also won the essay prize at the Abergavenny Cymreigyddion Eisteddfod of 1835. He resiged his secretarial position in 1839 but continued to contribute industriously to the Society and it is this unstinting labour which ensured not only the long-standing success of the Abergavenny Cymreigyddion Society but also of the eisteddfodau held under its auspices.