Iorwerth Cyfeiliog Peate, 1901–1982

Abstract

With the death of Dr Iorwerth C. Peate on 19 October 1982, the Society mourns the passing of its chief instigator, founder member and first president, as well as the leading figure in folk life studies in Britain.

Iorwerth Cyfeiliog Peate was born in Llanbryn-Mair, Montgomeryshire on 27 February 1901. His first name commemorated the new King (in mistaken translation); his second name, more significantly, was that of his native district, the medieval commote of Cyfeiliog in which Llanbryn-Mair was situated; his surname was of Huguenot origin like other Montgomeryshire names such as Jarman, Jervis and Tibbot, brought by refugees who were soon incorporated into the Welsh-speaking population.