A blue plaque has been unveiled in Alltwen for David Thomas, the ironmaster who went to school in the village and became known as the “Father of the American Iron Industry”.
Pupils at Alltwen Primary School gave a presentation and sang songs about his life at a special assembly before the plaque was revealed, Neath Port Talbot Council says.
His work in America earned him the nickname “Papa”, and that is on the plaque too.
From a Wernddu farm to the Ynyscedwyn Ironworks
He was born at Ty-Llwyd Farm in Wernddu, near Pontardawe, in 1794, according to the council.
After school in Alltwen he went to Neath Academy, then served a five-year apprenticeship at Neath Abbey Iron Works.
He spent more than 20 years at the Ynyscedwyn Ironworks in Ystradgynlais. The council says he became one of the leading figures in the British iron industry there.
The 1837 breakthrough he took to Pennsylvania
His biggest achievement came in 1837, when he found a way to smelt iron ore using anthracite coal and a hot blast furnace. The council says the method revolutionised industry in the Swansea Valley.
In 1839 he and his family emigrated to Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, where anthracite and iron ore were plentiful.
Within a year of his arrival, the first successful anthracite iron furnace in the US was in operation, the council says.
He was inducted into the Iron and Steel Hall of Fame in 2023, 141 years after his death.
‘He thoroughly deserves to be recognised’
The plaque was nominated by Bob Woolford, Independent councillor for Rhos.
He said Thomas had shaped industry on both sides of the Atlantic. “David Thomas shaped industry across Wales and then later took his expertise to America and shaped America’s too,” he said.
He praised the pupils too. “The pupils told his story very well. He thoroughly deserves to be recognised and remembered.”
Cllr Nia Jenkins, cabinet member for education and early years, said the plaque “may even inspire pupils to later pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) just like David Thomas did”.
Cllr Cen Phillips, cabinet member for nature, tourism and wellbeing, linked Thomas’s work to Port Talbot. “The development of blast furnace technology became central to the steel industry, which as we know has been a significant part of Port Talbot’s identity for decades,” he said.
The plaque is one of three the council approved in December, alongside Oscar winner Ray Milland and Archdruid Dafydd Helsin Rowlands.
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