Robat Gruffudd, who founded one of Wales's leading publishing houses, Y Lolfa, in 1967, has died at the age of 83. He died peacefully after an illness, the publisher said.
Gruffudd was born in the Rhondda, raised in Swansea and later settled in Tal-y-bont, near Aberystwyth. In 1965 he co-founded the satirical Welsh-language magazine Lol with the late Penri Jones. Two years later he established Y Lolfa, initially producing political, satirical and campaigning material using then-new offset printing technology.
The press grew into one of Wales's major publishers, issuing thousands of books and publications including literature, children's books, Welsh-learning materials, humour and political works. It also published Papur Pawb, one of Wales's first community newspapers, and continues to print community papers.
Gruffudd was himself an author and poet. His novels include Y Llosgi, Crac Cymraeg, Carnifal and Afallon, and poetry volumes Trên y Chwyldro and A Gymri di Gymru? Y Llosgi won the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize in 1986, and Afallon won the same award in 2012. He also published Lolian, a diary based on records he kept over decades. His final novel, Gobaith Mawr y Ganrif, was published in 2024. In a 2024 interview he said he was trying hard to retire and that writing novels was a struggle.
In 1980, Gruffudd and his wife Enid were arrested during Operation Tân, a police investigation into Meibion Glyndŵr, which had been burning holiday homes and other property in protest against second-home ownership in Wales. They were released without charge. Years later, he said the arrest made him question whether Wales was a democratic society.
Gruffudd was the son of scholar and poet J Gwyn Griffiths and author and Egyptologist Kate Bosse-Griffiths. His mother fled Nazi persecution in Germany and became a prominent figure in Welsh literary life. He is survived by his wife Enid, sons Garmon, Lefi and Einion, and five grandchildren. Y Lolfa is now run by his sons Garmon and Lefi.
In 2007, Gruffudd won the Cwlwm Cyhoeddwyr Cymru award for his lifetime contribution to Welsh-language books.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Gruffudd's death marks the end of an era in Welsh-language publishing; Y Lolfa played a crucial role in expanding the market for Welsh-language books.
- His work helped sustain and promote the Welsh language during a period of political and cultural activism.
- The publishing house remains a key institution for Welsh literature and learning.
Background
Y Lolfa was founded in 1967 in Tal-y-bont, Ceredigion, and grew from a small political press into one of the principal publishers of Welsh-language books, covering fiction, non-fiction, children's literature and educational materials. It has been central to the Welsh cultural revival and the printing of community newspapers.
What to Watch
- The continued direction of Y Lolfa under Garmon and Lefi Gruffudd and its role in Welsh-language publishing.
- Whether the Welsh government or cultural bodies will mark Gruffudd's contribution officially.
- Potential renewed interest in his novels and his final work, especially following his death.
Checked
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- SupportedRobat Gruffudd, founder of Y Lolfa, died aged 83.BBC Wales: “Mae Robat Gruffudd, sylfaenydd un o brif gyhoeddwyr Cymru, Y Lolfa, wedi marw yn 83 oed.”
- SupportedGruffudd was a central figure in Welsh cultural and political life for more than 50 years.BBC Wales: “Bu'n ganolog i fywyd diwylliannol a gwleidyddol Cymru am hanner canrif a mwy”
- SupportedY Lolfa said Gruffudd died peacefully after an illness.BBC Wales: “Mewn datganiad fe ddywedodd Y Lolfa iddo farw "yn dawel ar ôl cyfnod o salwch".”
- SupportedGruffudd founded Y Lolfa in 1967.BBC Wales: “ar ôl sefydlu Y Lolfa yn Nhal-y-bont, yn 1967.”
- SupportedGruffudd was born in the Rhondda, raised in Swansea and later settled in Tal-y-bont near Aberystwyth.BBC Wales: “Yn enedigol o'r Rhondda, cafodd ei fagu yn Abertawe cyn ymgartrefu yn Nhal-y-bont ger Aberystwyth.”
- SupportedIn 1965, Gruffudd co-founded the satirical Welsh-language magazine Lol with Penri Jones.BBC Wales: “Ef oedd cyd-sylfaenydd y cylchgrawn Cymraeg dychanol Lol yn 1965, gyda'r diweddar Penri Jones.”
- SupportedY Lolfa initially published political, satirical and campaigning material using offset printing technology that was new at the time.BBC Wales: “Dechreuodd y cwmni drwy gyhoeddi deunydd gwleidyddol, dychanol ac ymgyrchol, gan ddefnyddio technoleg argraffu offset newydd ar y pryd.”
- SupportedY Lolfa grew into one of Wales's leading publishers and has published thousands of books and publications.BBC Wales: “Mae'r wasg wedi cyhoeddi miloedd o lyfrau a chyhoeddiadau”
- SupportedY Lolfa published Papur Pawb, one of Wales's first community newspapers, and continues to print community papers.BBC Wales: “Y Lolfa fu'n gyfrifol am gyhoeddi Papur Pawb, un o bapurau bro cyntaf Cymru, gydag argraffu papurau bro yn parhau'n rhan bwysig o'r busnes hyd heddiw.”
- SupportedGruffudd and his wife Enid were arrested in 1980 during Operation Tân and released without charge.BBC Wales: “Yn 1980, cafodd Robat Gruffudd a'i wraig Enid eu harestio yn ystod Operation Tân - ymchwiliad heddlu i ymgyrch Meibion Glyndŵr. ... Cafodd y ddau eu rhyddhau heb eu cyhuddo.”
- SupportedIn a 2024 interview, Gruffudd said he was trying hard to retire and that writing novels was a struggle.BBC Wales: “Mewn cyfweliad yn 2024, dywedodd Robat Gruffudd ei fod yn "trio'n galed i ymddeol", gan ddweud hefyd bod ysgrifennu nofelau yn "lladdfa".”
- SupportedY Lolfa is now run by Gruffudd's sons Garmon and Lefi.BBC Wales: “Mae ei etifeddiaeth yn parhau drwy Y Lolfa, sydd bellach yn cael ei rhedeg gan ei feibion, Garmon a Lefi Gruffudd.”