William Penfro Rowlands was born on the 19th April 1860 in Llys y Frân, a small village in Pembrokeshire, Wales. He was both a composer and a schoolteacher. Rowlands adopted ‘Penfro’ as his middle name to honour his native country. From an early age, he showed great talent in music. At the age of 17, he became the precentor of the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel at Gwastad.

Rowlands secured a teaching position at Pentre-poeth Boys’ School, which he held until 1881. He then moved to Morriston, where he also served as precentor at Bethania Chapel and later at the Tabernacle Independent Chapel from 1892 to 1919. During this time, he conducted the choir of Morriston United Choral Society for many years.

Rowlands is best known for composing the hymn tune Blaenwern in 1905, inspired by Blaenwern Farm, where he recuperated. This tune is often used for the hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” and has been featured in many weddings.