London - Welsh literary figures, politicians and poetry lovers were in mourning yesterday for the poet and nationalist R.S. Thomas, who has died aged 87. He was hailed as one of the giants of Welsh literature and the principality's greatest poet since Dylan Thomas.
His publisher, Bloodaxe, said he died on Monday.
An Anglican priest, Ronald Stuart Thomas was best known for his intensely religious poetry and for his championing of the Welsh language and people. Preferring to be called a patriot than a nationalist, he accused the English of ruining Welsh culture and praised arsonists who firebombed English-owned properties in Wales.