Dr John Davies of Mallwyd (c. 1567-1644) was the greatest scholar of the later Renaissance period in Wales. He was an industrious collector and copyist of manuscripts and his work in preserving bardic vocabulary established the basis for a scientific study of the Welsh language. This book, whose publication coincides with the 400th anniversary of John Davies's installation as rector of Mallwyd, examines his varied and remarkably rich contribution - as biblical translator and pastor, as grammarian and lexicographer, and as one who strove to promote the standing and dignity of the language and literary heritage of his native Wales within the context of a wider Renaissance humanism.