The Cymreigyddion Society was stated in later accounts to have been founded in 1795,[1] although a reference to a meeting on 19 November 1794 suggests that it may have assembled informally at a slightly earlier date.
[2] It was established by a group of twelve expatriate Welshmen resident in London, most if not all of whom were members of the existing Gwyneddigion Society (founded 1770), and who included Jac Glan-y-gors (John Jones).
At a slightly later date Iolo Morganwg (Edward Williams) was also a member.
[8][9] In its later years it held lectures and organised eisteddfodau, and seems to have acquired a radical political character.
[10] The Society was (like the Gwyneddigion) anti-Methodist, and revelled in the disgrace of the preacher Edward "Ginshop" Jones, sued in a breach of promise case in 1801: it published a 24-page booklet containing the texts of Jones's love-letters, which had been read out in court, and a ribald ballad about the affair by Glan-y-gors.