File TF13/3 - Llythyrau Tonn

Mary Gwendoline Headley, writer and historian, was born 21 July 1913, the youngest of four children, in Dylife, Montgomeryshire, where her father, the Rev. R. L. Headley (1863?-1955), was vicar; her mother Margaret was from Glanogwen, Caernarvonshire. She was educated at Ysgol John Bright, Llandudno, and the University College of North Wales, Bangor (BA, 1936, and MA, 1938). She became a librarian, joining the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, in 1944. In 1949 she married T. I. Ellis (1899-1970) and they had two children, Marged (1950- ) and Rolant (1953- ). She worked to support her husband’s work with Undeb Cymru Fydd and elsewhere, and after his death she also edited several of his books for publication. As a devout Anglican she was active in the Church in Wales and organisations such as the Mothers' Union. She died, in Aberystwyth, on 25 January 2015.
Mari Ellis was a very active writer and reviewer in Welsh periodicals such as Y Llan (which she briefly edited). She also edited 'Colofn y Merched' in Y Llan and the 'Tŷ Ni' magazine published as part of Y Cymro and was secretary and later editor of Yr Angor, the papur bro for the Aberystwyth area. She edited Y Golau Gwan: Llythyrau Tom Ellis A.S. at Annie Davies (Caernarfon, 1999) and with her daughter co-wrote Eglwysi Cymru (Talybont, 1985). Under the name Mari Headley she published three novels, Awelon Darowen (Llandybïe, 1965), Beth yw'r Haf...? (Llandysul, 1974) and Ystyriwch Lili (Talybont, 1988). She researched extensively into 'Yr Hen Bersoniaid Llengar', the group of Anglican clerics supporting Welsh culture in nineteenth century Wales, and their wider circle, and published numerous academic articles. However books on the subject, and a biography of Gwallter Mechain in particular, remain unpublished.