 Little is known of his childhood, but he had a good literary education, while at the same time becoming steeped in the traditions of Wales and the Welsh language.At the age of 18 in 1822 he wrote patriotic Welsh poetry that was read at the Brecon Eisteddfod.In his early twenties, he spent a few years in London, establishing friendships at the London Institution, and began his literary career by contributing both prose and verse to the "Literary Souvenir" and other publications edited by Alaric Watts.