I was shocked to hear that Hywel Teifi Edward has died.
In academic circles Hywel was best known as an historian of the Victorian period in Wales, especially the history of the Eisteddfodic movement during the Victorian period. A description that makes Hywel sound like a dry, boring old anorak, something that he was not!
Hywel had the ability to take the hi out of History and leave just the story behind.
He lectured like a stand up comic, but as much as one laughed, one knew that every single fact was backed up with meticulous academic research.
In his death Wales has lost an expert historian, a raconteur, a friend of our culture and our language and a patriot of the first degree.
His family, of course, has a bigger loss - the loss of a husband, father and grandfather. Huw Edwards, the BBC News anchor is Hywel's son. My deepest sympathy is extended to all of the family connections in their bereavement.
