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John Thomas, musician with a connection to Wales (Bridgend, Glamorgan)

John Thomas

In 1861 he was named 'Pencerdd Gwalia' (Chief Musician of Wales) and appointed Harpist to Queen Victoria in 1871.
Connection: Born in Bridgend, Glamorgan, 1826 to John and Catherine Thomas.

comment by:Oliviaclare
Sir John Thomas was my great uncle. My great grandmother, his sister Mary Catherine Thomas Miles was a musician in her own right. She was married to Thomas Miles, also a musician from Wales. Catherine's brother, Thomas Thomas (Thomas ap Thomas) was also a learned harpist.

comment by:Oliviaclare
I have recently learned that John Thomas, harpist to Queen Victoria was never knighted in spite of our family stories.

comment by:Oliviaclare
He composed and arranged numerous melodies for the harp and in 1862 he published his two volumes of 'Welsh Melodies arranged for the Harp' which had taken him almost ten years to prepare.

comment by:Alyssamorgan
I am also related to John Thomas through his sister Mary Catherine. She was my great great Grandmother. I have done a lot of research on the family and wish to share with other descendants.






Bridgend