History makers
Cradle of business
The Southey family developed one of the best know and most successful regional newspaper and printing businesses lead by the Merthyr Express.
Laura Ashley, designer and founder of the clothing and furnishing business, was born in Dowlais.
Leading fashion designer Julien MacDonald was born in Merthyr Tydfil and attended school at Cyfarthfa.
Merthyr Tydfil was home of the Thomas family, who have become one of the most successful families in Wales through their work and investment in food and transport
Cradle of politics and men and women of action
Merthyr Tydfil was the scene of a political rising in 1831. As a result, Richard Lewis, known as “Dic Penderyn” was hung at Cardiff gaol and became a “Martyr of the Welsh Working Class”.
Henry Richard of Tregaron was elected the first Liberal MP in 1868 and was known nationally as the “Apostle of Peace”.
James Keir Hardie was elected as the first Independent Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil in 1900 and was one of the key figures in national political and Labour party history.
Samuel Griffiths, born in Merthyr Tydfil. Became Premier of Queensland and the judge who wrote the Australian Constitution.
Dr Pendrill Varrier-Jones, founder of the Papworth settlement was born at Troedyrhiw.
Cradle of sporting excellence
Johnny Owen – known as "The ‘Matchstick Man", due to his slim physique, was a powerful boxer and the first Welshman to win the Commonwealth and European Boxing Bantamweight titles
Jimmy Wilde, World champion flyweight boxer born in Quaker’s Yard had a worldwide reputation as one of the toughest boxers in history and was and known as the "Might Atom"
Eddie Thomas MBE – The ‘Merthyr Marvel’ was a British and European Welterweight Boxing Champion twice managed word champion boxers
Howard Winstone MBE – The ‘Welsh Wizard’ was Featherweight Boxing Champion of the World in 1968.
Mark Pembridge is a Welsh International footballer
Robert Sidoli is a Welsh International rugby player and a key member of the 2005 Grand Slam winning team.
Cradle of culture
Merthyr Tydfil is the birthplace of writers and poets like Jack Jones, Glyn Jones and Leslie Norris and Des Barry. It has also been Home of other writers like Harri Webb and Mike Jenkins
Merthyr Tydfil is the birthplace of national historians and scholars like Sir Glanmor Williams and Gwyn A Williams and the adopted home of Thomas Stephens, one of the great Welsh scholars of the nineteenth century
Joseph Parry composer of some of the greatest Welsh music of his era was born here along with many others in the musical world include - Harry Evans conductor, Jason Howard, Baritone and Alan Francis, international conductor.
Dowlais Choir was famous enough to be mentioned by Dylan Thomas in Under Milk Wood, "How's the tenors in Dowlais?" (Third Drowned)