My friend and former colleague John Heywood Thomas, who has died aged 98, came from humble beginnings to become a theologian of international standing.
As well as being a scholar of note, in particular of the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard and the German-American theologian Paul Tillich, John provided great encouragement to younger academics, especially those teaching and writing in Welsh. Proud of his roots, he frequently attended the National Eisteddfod, was appointed to the Gorsedd of Bards in 1972 and elected fellow of the Learned Society of Wales in 2012.
