Thomas Stephens (historian)

Thomas Stephens
Born	(1821-04-21)21 April 1821 Pont Nedd Fechan, Glamorganshire, Wales
Died	4 January 1875(1875-01-04) (aged 53) Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, Wales
Occupation	Chemist and druggist
Known for	Welsh historical literature, rigorous critical methods, social reform
Notable work	• The Literature of the Kymry (1849,1876) • Madoc: An Essay on the Discovery of America by Madoc ap Owen Gwynedd in the Twelfth Century (1858,1893) • Orgraff yr Iaith Gymraeg (1859) (an orthography of Welsh)

Thomas Stephens (Bardic names: Casnodyn, Gwrnerth, Caradawg) (21 April 1821 – 4 January 1875) was a Welsh historian, literary critic, and social reformer. His works include The Literature of the Kymry (1849,1876), Madoc: An Essay on the Discovery of America by Madoc ap Owen Gwynedd in the Twelfth Century (1858,1893), and Orgraff yr Iaith Gymraeg (1859) (an orthography of Welsh), as well as a number of prize-winning essays presented at eisteddfodau between 1840 and 1858. He was the first Welsh historian and literary critic to employ rigorous scientific methods, and is considered to have done more to raise the standards of the National Eisteddfod than any other Welshman of his time. Stephens also figured prominently in efforts to implement social, educational and sanitary reforms both locally in Merthyr Tydfil and more broadly throughout Wales.