When you write a book about 100 great Welshmen, the question is - where do you stop? BEN BLACK talks to author Terry Breverton about his men-only celebration.
WALES is not just a land of rugby players and male voice choirs. A new book reveals 100 great Welshmen and it contains just one rugby player and a few singers.
It details colourful characters like Captain Henry Morgan, the famous buccaneer from Abergavenny.
In one raid he "plundered a quarter of a million pieces of gold and silver coins, jewellery, silks, spices, munitions, weapons and slaves".
Author Terry Breverton, 54, told the Argus: "There are some people I would have liked to put in like JPR Williams but I thought you can't stereotype Welsh people by putting in loads of rugby players. "In terms of sporting people I have got Bobby Jones, the great golfer, John Charles and Billy Meredith, fabulous footballers, and Gareth Edwards.
"I have written two books in the last year on Wales, and about 20 or 30 names just fell on the pages.
"I think they are people of importance to Wales and who are regarded as important by other countries.
"There is one guy in there called Murray the Hump who was born Llywellyn Morris Humphreys. He became number one public enemy in America following on from Al Capone.
"For his daughters birthday party he got Frank Sinatra to sing."
The book reveals that Wales even has links to the White House. Mr Breverton said: "Five of the first six American presidents were of Welsh extraction.
"In the history of America we are absolutely amazing. The greatest architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the greatest film director David Griffith, both Welsh people.
"I think certainly some have had a huge influence on the world like Thomas Jefferson with the declaration of independence."
But Mr Breverton fears there are not many current Welsh people who could take their places in the book.
"I think the problem is with Wales is that we do not have anybody coming along into this book."
He explained the significance of the cover of his book. "It is Dylan Thomas's bedroom with an empty chair in it. So who is going to be the next one?"
"Probably my favourite entry is on The Miner. Those people have done so much for Wales and lived in such horrible conditions bringing up families. I think they deserve a mention all on their own."
100 Great Welshmen is published by Wales Books, price £18.99.
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