William Edwards (architect)

For other people with the same name, see William Edwards (disambiguation).

Newbridge, Pontypridd

William Edwards (February 1719 – 7 August 1789) was a Welsh Methodist minister who also practised as a stonemason, architect and bridge engineer.

Edwards was born the son of Edward David in Eglwysilan, Caerphilly County Borough in a small farmhouse, and began preaching in his early twenties. In 1745, he became joint pastor of a newly established Independent chapel at Groeswen, remaining in the post until his death.[1]

He taught himself the rudiments of masonry and at the age of 27 was commissioned to build a bridge over the Taff for £500 and to maintain it for 7 years. After several attempts he succeeded and went on to build further bridges across south Wales.

On his death, he was buried in St Ilan's church in Eglwysilan, where his tomb is a grade II* listed structure.[2]

Three of his sons (Thomas, David and Edward) also became bridge builders, two of whom built Newport bridge in 1801. A fourth son (William) was killed in action at Gibraltar.[3]

  1. ^ The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg106 ISBN 978-0-7083-1953-6
  2. ^ "Tomb of William Edwards in the churchyard of St Ilan, Eglwysilan, Aber Valley". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  3. ^ Williams, Edward Ivor (1959). "EDWARDS, WILLIAM (1719 - 1789), Independent minister, and architect". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 20 October 2021.