Born at Llanrhaiadr-ym-Mochnant, Denbighshire, March 1938.  Son of the manager of the local Midland bank and lived in a flat above the bank.  Went to two local schools before taking the 11 plus exam at Porthmadog, where he lived in BorthyGest with his grandparents. In this area his mother had grown up. Moved to Ruthin in 1950 where his father was manager of a local bank. Was a pupil at Brynhyfryd School, taking GCSE and A levels before becoming a student at the University of Keele. Participated in writing groups and was editor of the college literary magazine 'Cum Grano'. Graduated in English and Philosophy in 1961.  Taught English for a year at Erith Grammar School, London, before moving to Leeds where he took part of a MA in Americal Literature.  Took the PGCE at the university and gained a scholarship through the English-Speaking Union to take graduate study at Cornell University, upstate New York, where he held the Philosophical Foundations Assistantship.  He received his MA in 1965.  Spent the next year at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, teaching English Literature to first and second year students. Subsequently, back in the UK, took a lectureship at Cardiff College of Education, teaching English Literature. He wrote an English translation of the novel by Kate Roberts 'Feet in Chains'. Left to establish a publishing company, John Jones Cardiff Ltd, which produced over 50 new titles.  He then moved to Yale College, Wrexham, and retired in 1998.  Has since continued with publishing and writing.  He is married to Denise, who was a National Assembly for Wales Member, and afterwards a teacher at Prestatyn.  They live in Ruthin with their two sons James and William.  He is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy.