How many of the famous people from Carmarthenshire do you recognise? We look at some of the most well known people to have come from this beautiful Welsh county.

Famous People From Carmarthenshire

With Carmarthen Bay stretching from the southern beaches to the western Beacons and Cambrian mountains, this is a wonderful part of Wales if you're yet to visit. 

Carmarthenshire is the county known as the Garden of Wales, and its natural beauty has inspired generations for decades. While you may have heard of Dylan Thomas, many more famous places and faces have come out of Carmarthenshire.

Reasons to Visit Carmarthenshire

Here is our list of some of the few celebrities to come out of this beautiful part of Wales. 

John Adams (Carmarthen MP)

Born in 1746, John Adams was a politician who sat in the House of Commons. His father was the High Sherriff of Pembrokeshire, and John led a successful life after his schooling at Queen's College, Oxford and then an MA at Oxford in 1773.

He sat in the House of Commons between 1774 and 1780. John later died in 1817 after inheriting estates from his uncle Sir Herbert Lloyd. 

Douglas Bassett 

We here in Carmarthenshire are very proud of Douglas Bassett (1927-2009) and his contributions and successes in geology. Born in Llwynhendy, Bassett studied at Aberystwyth University and received a doctorate in Geology.

Douglas joined the National Museum of Wales and was appointed Director of Geology in 1977 after nearly twenty years of service there.

Alex Beckett

Born Peter Alexander Beckett, Alex was a successful British actor known for roles in BBC comedy series and theatre.

The BBC Television comedy Twenty Twelve and successor W1A are his well-known roles, although he also had a successful career in radio drama and on stage. He was born in 1982 in Carmarthenshire and died in South Norwood in 2018.

Bridget Bevan

Bridget Bevan was also known as Madame Bevan and was born in 1698. She was a Welsh educationalist and public benefactor, born in Llannewydd. Much of Bridget's wealth over her life was given into the reform and restructuring of free schools, as supported by Welsh Minister Griffith Jones.

She believed in literacy through the Welsh language and wanted to help as many children receive an education. She died in December 1779. 

Arnold le Boteler

Dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries, we have Arnold le Boteler. A Norman Squire with an interest and prosperous life in property development, Arnold was the first documented lord in the village of Pembry.

Arnold established and developed many properties over his life, most notably the manor house 'Court Farm'. This was made during the reign of William The Conqueror.

Elvyn Bowen

Born in 1907, Elvyn Bowen was a first-class cricketer. His batting average was 10.00, scoring 40 runs across his three first-class matches.

He was a left-handed batsman and most notably played in the 1928 match against Lancashire, playing for Glamorgan.

Kezia Burrows

A Welsh actress, Kezia Burrows is notably known for her performance in Crash, a BBC Wales medical drama. Burrows studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 2004.

Kezia continues to further her career, taking up performances in television and theatre and even a recent video game.

Edward Cadogan 

Edward was born in 1833 and was a British clergyman and rower. Cadogan spent his life around Oxford, despite being born in Caerfyrddin. He studied at Christ Church, Oxford and began rowing while at the University, representing his school.

Edward took up the position of rector in Wicken, Northamptonshire, in 1872 and contributed to the success of the village school, placing 80+ children on the books. 

Dai Davies

Dai Davies, born as William David Davies, worked as a professional footballer for many years, representing Wales' national team. Born in 1948, Davies was a goalkeeper between 1969 and 1987. He died in 2021 and has been remembered by the team ever since.

David James Davies

Born in 1893, David James Davies was a Welsh prizewinning essayist, author and pilot. Despite initially aiding with the founding of the Welsh Labour Party, Davies went on to help found Plaid Cymru, the nationalist party in Wales.

His thoughts and ideologies were influential in shaping the long term plans for Plaid Cymru.

Robert Dickie

Robert Dickey was born in 1964 and was a professional boxer. He fought in both featherweight and super-featherweight championships and, to date, is one of only four Welsh men to hold multiple boxing titles. He died in 2010 after a career of 22 wins from 28 matches.

Richard Devereux

Sir Richard Devereux, born in 1513, was a notable political figure during Henry VIII and Edward VI's reign. He was born in Carmarthen and, in 1542, was a candidate for the election to parliament. He died in 1547, not long after being knighted at the coronation of Edward VI. 

John Dyer

You may have heard of John Dyer, born in 1699. He was a painter and Welsh poet, who later in his life, became a priest in the Church of England.

Many of his successful works have been read and studied, most notably the Ruins of Rome from 1780 and The Fleece (1757).

Dave Evans

If you have heard of ACDC and are surprised to see it on this list, you will be happy to know that Dave Evans was born in Carmarthen in Wales. He later went on to be the original lead singer of the Australian rock band. This was between 1973-1974, before being replaced by Bon Scott. 

John Griffiths

John Griffiths has a strong association with Jesus College in Oxford, where he studied as a mathematician and academic for over 60 years. He was taught at Cowbridge Grammar School in Carmarthenshire and died in May 1916.

Neville Hughes

Notable British actor Neville Hughes was born in 1945 and was a prolific actor through the 1960s and 70s. He later became a successful businessman in the motor manufacturing industry and marketing sectors. His formative years were spent at Eagle House Prep School, where he studied to become a thriving theatre and stage actor.

John Jenkins (Gwili)

John Jenkins was born in 1872 and was a poet. Most commonly, he was known by the bardic name of Gwili, and he spent many years at the National Eisteddfod of Wales as Archdruid. He was born in Hendy in Carmarthenshire but also studied at the University of Wales in Cardiff.

Sian James

Born in 1930, Sian was a novelist and academic choosing to write in English. Her most famous novel, A Small Country, has become a classic in Anglo-Welsh literature, and she won the Yorkshire Post Prize twice in her life. This was later adapted into a Welsh TV series, Calon Gaeth.

Karl Jones

Born in Llantwit Major, Karl Jones is an auto racing driver who competed between the years of 1981 and 1993. He has become a popular name among the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and has competed in the Junior Formula Ford 1600, Renault Clio Cup and Ford Fiesta Championships.

Martha Llwyd

Matha Llwyd was a poet and Methodist hymn-writer born in 1766. She was born in Cynwel Elfed and could not walk due to health complications, so she spent much of her life in a chair.

Her works were very popular among the Methodist community, and she published many poems and hymns through their leader.

Sharon Morgan

A Welsh actress, Sharon was born in 1949 and has worked successfully since 1977. Sharon Morgan has appeared on both stage and screen, despite her teachers in Glanamman believing she wouldn't have an acting career. She has received three BAFTA Cymru awards during these years and will undoubtedly go on to win many more. 

Gary Owen

Gary Owen was a snooker player who represented Wales between 1968 and 1979. He was born in Tumble in 1929 and won many games over his lifetime, winning the English Amateur Championship in 1963. Gary died in 1995 in Southport, Australia. 

Frederick Palmer

Frederick Palmer (1862 - 1934) was a civil engineer, working as an assistant engineer on the Great Western Railway. He was born in Carmarthenshire and sought further education in Neath. He spent just under twenty years working with the East Indian Railway Company before his death in 1934.

Anne Ceridwen Rees

Anne Rees was a physician born in 1874 and practised for many years in New Jersey. She was born in Pentregwenlais and attended Gwyfryn Academy, only to later move to America and receive an M.D at the Woman's Medical College in New York.

John Rhys-Davies

Best known for his portrayal of Gimli in The Lord Of The Rings, John Rhys-Davies was born in 1944 to Welsh parents. He has been a successful actor since 1964, ranging from Film, Television and Voice Acting. He has trained at Truro School, University of East Anglia and later the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

Amy Roberts

Amy Roberts was born in 1994 and is a current racing cyclist, competing in National Track Championships and most recently the UCI women's team Parkhotel Valkenburg. Born in Llanelli, Amy studied at Queen Elizabeth High School in Carmarthen. 

Aeronwy Thomas

Daughter of poet Dylan Thomas, Aeronwy was a poet and writer, also translating Italian poetry in her time. Born in 1943, Aeronwy Thomas was the only daughter of Dylan and grew up in the Boat House in Laugharne.

She later became an ambassador for her father's work and the Dylan Thomas Society patron. We're sure you can agree that this is a very famous Welsh family! 

Helen Thomas

Born in Newcastle Emlyn in 1966, Helen Thomas was a peace activist who worked for Cardiff Women's Aid. She studied at St David's University College and protested at the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, only to die after two months. 

Alan Watkins

Alan Watkin was born in 1933 and spent his life as a political columnist across a variety of magazines and newspapers. In these 50+ years, he worked at The Observer, Sunday Mirror, Evening Standard and more notable names.

Alan coined many popular phrases still used in journalism today, ranging from 'the men in grey suits' and 'chattering classes'.

Caroline Catharine Wilkinson

Caroline Wilkinson was a botanist and author born in 1822. Egyptologist John Wilkinson was her husband, and she illustrated his best-selling book. She was made a Lady after their marriage, as is customary when marrying a Knight.

If you are planning a stay in Carmarthenshire we hope this page has offered some good reasons to come visit us. For accommodation in Carmarthenshire you can find no better location than Laugharne, the home of Dylan Thomas.

Contact Longshore House today to book your luxury holiday cottage in Laugharne.