Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Phylip, Sion
PHYLIP, SION (1543–1620), Welsh poet, was the son of Phylip ap Morgan, and was born in 1543 in the neighbourhood of Harlech. His bardic instructors were Gruffydd Hiraethog and Wiliam Lleyn. He was present at the eisteddfod held at Caerwys in 1568, and was there admitted to the grade of ‘disgybl pencerddaidd’ (scholar of the first rank) (Pennant, Tours, ii. 93). He lived at Hendre Waelod, in the vale of Ardudwy, but spent much of his time in bardic tours through various parts of Wales. In the course of one of these (1620) he was drowned near Pwllheli. Three of Sion Phylip's poems have been printed in the ‘Cymmrodor’ (ix. 24, 28, 33), and five in the ‘Brython’ (iv. 230, 298, 345, 346, 390). Many are to be found in the Cymrodorion MSS., now in the British Museum. His brother Richard and his sons Gruffydd and Phylip were also poets.
[Lewis Dwnn, ii. 221, 222, 225; Brython, 1861, iv. 142–4; Hanes Llenyddiaeth Gymreig, by Gweirydd ap Rhys; Williams's Eminent Welshmen; Foulkes's Enwogion Cymru.]