FAMOUS CARDIFFIANS

Wales, the land of song, is notable for producing full-throated singers, legendary music bands, hugely influential poets, folk heroes and renowned actors. Rugby Union is Wales' national, and most popular sport, with football coming a close second. Not only does Wales breed champions in these games, it has also been the birth place of world class snooker players, boxers, and athletes. Welsh politicians, comedians, explorers and journalists have all made their mark on the world, including the forefathers of Cardiff, the Marquises of Bute.

Why does Wales produce (and attract) so many distinguished people? Is it the fertile soils, the clean air and crystal clear water? Is it the natural beauty of the coast and mountains? Is it the inherent Celtic culture? Did the Romans have a major influence on how our nation developed? Perhaps the centuries long occupation by the English (after the Anglo-Norman conquest of Wales in the 13th Century) still has an unmeasured subtle effect on Welsh culture? Has our historically multicultural society been the source of such a diverse range of talent and achievements? Or is it, more likely, a combination of all these elements; mixed with a generous dose of patriotism?

Wales has a population of nearly 3 million, with over 300,000 people living in the City and County of Cardiff. So it is no surprise that so many notable Welsh people were born and bred here. Not all Cardiffians were from Cardiff, but those who devoted their lives to making Cardiff the City it is today, are just as important as those who were born here.

This section of the site is designed to teach you about how these people put Cardiff, and Wales, permanently on the world stage, and to celebrate their accomplishments. Many of names in this list you may not know, whereas others you will instantly recognise. I am in the process of creating individual biographies for each person, using information gleaned from various credited sources. Each compendium will endeavor to minimise duplication of other versions on the internet, whilst presenting the most useful facts. Only nine profiles have been written up as of yet, but more are in development.

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