Thomas Evans (Tomos Glyn Cothi) (20 June 1764 – 29 January 1833), was a Welsh poet, Unitarian, and political activist.
[1] Evans lived in an area which was predominantly Calvinist, but as early as 1786 he began to preach having embraced the doctrines of Unitarianism.
[citation needed] In 1797, he was at a social meeting and sang by request a Welsh song, "On Liberty".
On the information of a spy belonging to his own congregation, he was apprehended, tried, and sentenced by Judge Lloyd to be imprisoned for two years and to stand in the pillory.
He was charged with singing an English song, the fourth stanza of which ran thus: And when upon the British shore The thundering guns of France shall roar, Vile George shall trembling stand, Or flee his native land With terror and appal, Dance Carmagnol, dance Carmagnol.
[3] His first publication was probably a translation of Priestley's Triumph of Truth, being an Account of the Trial of Elwall for publishing a book in Defense of the Unity of God, 1793.