Name Robin ab Role Author | Parents Owain Owain Residence Ruthin, United Kingdom | |
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Occupation Author
Poet
Wikimedia UK Wales Manager | ||
Robin Llwyd ab Owain (born June 1959) is an author, national award winning poet, and Wikipedian. He won the chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 1992 at Mold for a poem titled "Merch Ein Amserau" (The Girl of Our Times). In 2013, he was appointed Wikimedia UK's first Wales Manager.
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Poet
In 1992, Owain won the chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales at Mold for a poem titled "The Girl of Our Times". The poem was described by one of the adjudicators as breaking new ground. In December 1996 he became the first Welsh writer to publish his poems on the web: Rhedeg ar Wydr: (trans: Running on Glass), first published in December 1997. He is the son of poet and writer Owain Owain.
His poems have been read on television by actor Rhys Ifans. Robin has written for television and radio and was marketing director of a software company between 2000 - 2009. Before then he was a head teacher.
As well as writing poetry, Robin has also written and published over 100 songs including a number which have been sung by Bryn Terfel: 'Brenin y Ser' ('The King of The Stars') and 'Pedair Oed' ('Four Years Old') which is sung by Rhys Meirion.
Since 2006 Robin has not published his work.
Wikimedia
On 1 July 2013, Owain was appointed the first Wales Manager by Wikimedia UK and Wici Cymru. His role aims to expand Wicipedia Cymraeg (Welsh Wikipedia) and the English Wikipedia's coverage of Welsh topics. As part of this programme, the Welsh Assembly contributed financially to the training of new editors. In relation to Owain's appointment, Jon Davies, Chief Executive of Wikimedia UK, said: "Robin’s appointment as our Wales Manager is a vital part of our outreach strategy. Wicipedia Cymraeg is the world’s most popular Welsh language website and we are proud to support the Welsh language."
Personal life
Owain had previously worked as a head teacher for over 13 years and from 2000 - 2008 ran a software company (Cyfrifiaduron Sycharth). He has lived in Ruthin since 1979, was married in 1988 in Llangollen and has two children.