William Moelwyn Merchant (5 June 1913 – 22 April 1997) was an academic, novelist, sculptor, poet and Anglican priest. He was born in Port Talbot, Glamorgan, Wales, and his first language was Welsh. He was educated at University College, Cardiff (BA 1933). He died in retirement at Leamington Spa. Merchant published a number of books of poetry, including Breaking the Code (1975), No Dark Glass (1979) and Confrontation of Angels (1986), and also wrote libretti for Alun Hoddinott. The BBC made a film about him, Vicar of a Country Parish.