Cynan was born Albert Evans Jones in 1895, the son of a shopkeeper.
When he was a young boy his father gave him a collection of Eifion Wyn's poems. The book sparked his interest in poetry.
He was quite a rebel. He condemned the lunacy of war, the narrow-minded chapel-goers and he deliberately shunned the poetic standards of the time. He always used very simple language in his poetry.
He won the crown at the Caernarfon National Eisteddfod in 1921 for Mab y Bwthyn, which describes the experiences of a young soldier in the First World War. He also won the crown at the Bangor National Eisteddfod. This was the first time a poem had been written about a rugby match between Wales and England.
He was responsible for reforming the National Eisteddfod. He realised that the ceremonies could appeal to a wide audience by adding an element of drama. He was also responsible for creating the flower dance in 1936 and he is the only one to serve two terms as Archdruid.
He became Sir Cynan Evans Jones in 1969 for his services to Welsh culture.
© 2012 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales