Robin Llwyd ab Owain


Robin Llwyd ab Owain is an author, national award winning poet, and Wikipedian. He won the chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 1991 at Mold for a poem titled "Merch Ein Amserau". In 2013, he was appointed Wikimedia UK's first Wales Manager.

Poet

In 1991, Owain won the chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales at Mold for a poem titled "Awdl Foliant Merch ein Hamserau". 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:, 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. Owain has written for television and radio.
As well as writing poetry, Owain has also written and published over 100 songs including a number which have been sung by Bryn Terfel: 'Brenin y Ser' and 'Pedair Oed' which is sung by Rhys Meirion.
Since 2006 Owain's work has not been published.

Wikimedia

On 1 July 2013, Owain was appointed the first Wales Manager by Wikimedia UK and Wici Cymru. His role aims to expand 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.