Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Mills, Richard
MILLS, RICHARD (1809–1844), Welsh musician, was the son of Henry Mills, and was born at Ty Newydd, Llanidloes, in March 1809. He showed musical talent at an early age, and competed successfully at eisteddfodau upon musical and literary subjects. In 1838 he published some of his literary compositions; better known, however, are his musical publications, ‘Caniadau Seion’ (1840), a collection of congregational tunes, and ‘Yr Arweinydd Cerddorol,’ published in three parts (1840–5), and consisting chiefly of musical instruction. Richard Mills and his nephews, John and Richard, who carried on his work, did much to improve the character of Welsh ecclesiastical music, and to popularise musical knowledge in Wales. They were the pioneers of the modern musical movement in that country. Mills died on 24 Dec. 1844. His brother James (d. 1844) was also a musician of talent.
[Montgomeryshire Worthies in Montgomeryshire Collections, xv. 49.]