Huw Robert Jones

Huw Robert Jones (3 March 1894 – 17 March 1930^[1]), known as H. R. Jones, was a Welsh nationalist politician.

Jones was born in Ebenezer in Caernarfonshire,^[2] where he worked in the quarries from the age of thirteen,^[3] and later as a travelling grocery salesman.^[4] He led a campaign to rename his home village as "Deiniolen", which was successful.^[2] Always a strong proponent of home rule for Wales, in 1924 he founded the Welsh Home Rule Army and,^[2] as one of its three most prominent leaders, he attended the founding meeting of Plaid Cymru.^[5] Saunders Lewis referred to Jones as the only Welsh nationalist who "would have received a post from Michael Collins".^[6]: 284

Plaid was founded in a hotel in Pwllheli, while the National Eisteddfod was underway.^[5] Jones was chosen as its first general secretary, but the other party founders convinced him to avoid non-violent direct action in their cause.^[7] In 1928, he stood for election to the county council in Upper Deiniolen, the party's only candidate, but he was not elected.^[8]

Although popular with party members, he was not regarded as an effective organiser.^[9] He contracted tuberculosis and in 1928, he became aware that he did not have long to live. He was compelled to scale back his role until his death in 1930.^[3][9]

After Jones' death, Gwenallt composed "Breuddwyd y Bardd" in his honour.^[3]