David Jenkins (librarian)
Encyclopedia
David Jenkins CBE
(29 May 1912–6 March 2002) was the Librarian of the National Library of Wales
from 1969 to 1979 and author of an official history of the library.
, the son of an Aberaeron-born collier but, as a consequence of illness, spent most of his childhood with an aunt and uncle in Penrhyn-coch
, Aberystwyth
, Ceredigion
. He was educated at Ardwyn Grammar School, Aberystwyth; and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, graduating BA
with Honours in Welsh Literature, 1936, and MA
in 1948. In 1979 an Hon. DLitt Wales was conferred on him.
In 1948, he married Menna Rhys, the only daughter of the Rev. Owen Evans Williams, Penrhyn-coch. They had one son and one daughter.
He was employed at the National Library of Wales in 1939 as an assistant in the Department of Manuscripts. Conscripted into the Army, he served during World War II
as a major in north-western Europe, "taking part in the liberation of Paris
and the push into Germany and Poland, where he was among the first British soldiers to reach the concentration camps". He resumed his career at the National Library, becoming an Assistant Keeper in the Department of Printed Books at the from 1949 to 1957. He was later appointed Keeper, 1957–1962, Senior Keeper, 1962–69 and, finally, Librarian, 1969–1979.
He was the editor of the Journal of the Welsh Bibliographical Society
between 1964 and 1979, and editor of the National Library of Wales Journal
1968-79. Jenkins was the General Commissioner of Income Tax 1968–1987 and the chairman of the Welsh Books Council
from 1974 until 1980.
Jenkins received a CBE
in 1977. His history of the National Library, A Refuge in Peace and War, was written over a 20-year period.
He died, aged 89, in Aberystwyth on 6 March 2002.
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
(29 May 1912–6 March 2002) was the Librarian of the National Library of Wales
National Library of Wales
The National Library of Wales , Aberystwyth, is the national legal deposit library of Wales; one of the Welsh Government sponsored bodies.Welsh is its main medium of communication...
from 1969 to 1979 and author of an official history of the library.
Biography
Jenkins was born in Blaenclydach, GlamorganGlamorgan
Glamorgan or Glamorganshire is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It was originally an early medieval kingdom of varying boundaries known as Glywysing until taken over by the Normans as a lordship. Glamorgan is latterly represented by the three...
, the son of an Aberaeron-born collier but, as a consequence of illness, spent most of his childhood with an aunt and uncle in Penrhyn-coch
Penrhyn-coch
Penrhyn-coch is a small Welsh village, in the community of Trefeurig, Ceredigion, located between the Afon Stewi and Nant Seilo rivers, close to where they merge into the Afon Clarach. The village is approximately 4½ miles north-east of Aberystwyth....
, Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
, Ceredigion
Ceredigion
Ceredigion is a county and former kingdom in mid-west Wales. As Cardiganshire , it was created in 1282, and was reconstituted as a county under that name in 1996, reverting to Ceredigion a day later...
. He was educated at Ardwyn Grammar School, Aberystwyth; and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, graduating BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
with Honours in Welsh Literature, 1936, and MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1948. In 1979 an Hon. DLitt Wales was conferred on him.
In 1948, he married Menna Rhys, the only daughter of the Rev. Owen Evans Williams, Penrhyn-coch. They had one son and one daughter.
He was employed at the National Library of Wales in 1939 as an assistant in the Department of Manuscripts. Conscripted into the Army, he served during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as a major in north-western Europe, "taking part in the liberation of Paris
Liberation of Paris
The Liberation of Paris took place during World War II from 19 August 1944 until the surrender of the occupying German garrison on August 25th. It could be regarded by some as the last battle in the Battle for Normandy, though that really ended with the crushing of the Wehrmacht forces between the...
and the push into Germany and Poland, where he was among the first British soldiers to reach the concentration camps". He resumed his career at the National Library, becoming an Assistant Keeper in the Department of Printed Books at the from 1949 to 1957. He was later appointed Keeper, 1957–1962, Senior Keeper, 1962–69 and, finally, Librarian, 1969–1979.
He was the editor of the Journal of the Welsh Bibliographical Society
Journal of the Welsh Bibliographical Society
The Welsh Bibliographical Society was founded in 1907 to promote the study of Welsh bibliography, publishing, printing and writing. Its principal activities were an annual meeting and lecture and publication of the Journal of the Welsh Bibliographical Society and monographs...
between 1964 and 1979, and editor of the National Library of Wales Journal
National Library of Wales Journal
The National Library of Wales Journal is an annual academic journal containing scholarly articles on historical topics relating to the Library’s collections, covering Welsh medieval and local history, literature, and the Welsh diaspora. It was first published in 1939...
1968-79. Jenkins was the General Commissioner of Income Tax 1968–1987 and the chairman of the Welsh Books Council
Welsh Books Council
The Welsh Books Council or Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru was established in 1961 under the name of Cyngor Llyfrau Cymraeg . Today it is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. The Council's aims are to promote the interest in Welsh language books and English language books of interest to Wales...
from 1974 until 1980.
Jenkins received a CBE
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
in 1977. His history of the National Library, A Refuge in Peace and War, was written over a 20-year period.
He died, aged 89, in Aberystwyth on 6 March 2002.