Professor Jason Walford Davies (born 1971 in Aberystwyth) is a Welsh literary scholar and poet. He is an expert on the works of R. S. Thomas. As a poet, he is known for winning the Crown at the National Eisteddfod in 2004.
Academic career Davies was educated at the University of Oxford and the University of Wales, Bangor (now Bangor University). He has lectured at Bangor since graduating with his degree in Welsh in 1993. He is co-director of the university's R. S. Thomas Research centre.
Literary career Davies won the Crown at the 2004 National Eisteddfod for his poem Egni. In the same year, his critical study, Gororau'r Iaith: R. S. Thomas a'r Traddodiad Llenyddol Cymraeg [], was shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year.
In 2012, he was one of the recipients of Literature Wales's New Writer Bursary.
Personal life Davies's mother was the academic and author Hazel Walford Davies (1940–2025). He has a twin brother, Damian Walford Davies.
Publications Source:
Poetry Egni []. In "Cyfansoddiadau a Beirniadaethau: Eisteddfod Genedlaetho Cymru Casnewydd a'r Cylch 2004" [], pp. 22–27. (National Eisteddfod of Wales, 2004)
Critical studies Gororau'r Iaith: R. S. Thomas a'r Traddodiad Cymraeg [] (University of Wales Press, 2003) Co-edited with Damian Walford Davies - Cof ac Arwydd: Ysgrifau ar Waldo Williams [] (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas, 2006) As editor - Gweledigaethau: Cyfrol Deyrnged yr Athro Gwyn Thomas [] (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas, 2007)
Edited anthologies As translator and editor - R. S. Thomas: Autobiographies (J. M. Dent, 1997). With Anthony Brown - R.S. Thomas: Uncollected Poems (Bloodaxe Books, 2013) With Anthony Brown - Too Brave to Dream: Encounters with Modern Art (Bloodaxe Books, 2016)
Media appearances YearProgramme/SeriesChannel/NetworkRoleNote/1999CromaS4CInterviewerAn extended interview with R. S. Thomas; re-broadcast in 2013.2006Cymru a’r Chwyldro Diwydiannol []S4CPresenter2013PetheS4CGuest/ContributorSpecial episode on R. S. Thomas2014PetheS4CCo-presenter with Damian Walford Davies2014 series - Episode: "RS Thomas v Dylan Thomas"2015Radio Wales Arts ShowBBC Radio WalesGuestEpisode: "The poetry of R.S. Thomas" 2021 Dei Tomos BBC Radio Cymru 2 Guest Originally broadcast on 23 May 20212025Bwrw GolwgBBC Radio CymruGuestBroadcast on 11 May 2025
References