William Morris (Baptist minister)

William Morris (12 September 1843 – 21 December 1922), widely known by his bardic name, Rhosynnog, was the minister of Noddfa Baptist Church, Treorchy, South Wales from soon after its formation in 1868 until his death.

[1] Under his leadership the membership at Noddfa increased rapidly and branch chapels were established including Ainon, Treorchy and Bethel, Cwmpark.

He was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and in 1902 he visited the United States of America and was awarded an honorary degree by Bucknell University.

Following the formation of the new Rhondda constituency prior to the 1885 election, Morris was a leading figure in the local Liberal Association, known as the 'Three Hundred', who were tasked with selecting a parliamentary candidate.

In this respect, morris allied himself with the Liberal establishment in the valley, dominated by colliery officials and tradesmen, against the trade union movement.