William Llewelyn Davies
Encyclopedia
Sir William Llewelyn Davies (born William Davies, and adding "Llewelyn" after marrying Gwen Llewelyn) (11 October 1887 – 11 November 1952) was chief librarian of the National Library of Wales
, Aberystwyth
from 1930 until his death.
, in Caernarfonshire
, north Wales
, on 11 October 1887. He was educated in Porthmadog
and was a pupil-teacher in Penrhyndeudraeth
before studying at the University College of Wales (later to become Aberystwyth University). After graduating, he taught in various locations in Wales and at the University College, Cardiff (later to become Cardiff University
). He was a member of the Royal Garrison Artillery
during the First World War and then an officer in the Army Education Service. In 1919, he was appointed first assistant librarian at the National Library of Wales
in Aberystwyth
, under John Ballinger
; he succeeded Ballinger on his retirement in 1930 and continued as chief librarian until he died on 11 November 1952. During his time as chief librarian, he worked to collect and preserve many Welsh manuscripts and materials located in private hands or other collections, and he acquired approximately 3.3 million documents (the Library had only about 200,000 documents when he was appointed chief librarian). His work for the Library and Wales were noted with the award of a knighthood in 1944 and an honorary doctorate by the University of Wales
in 1951. He served as High Sheriff of Merionethshire
in 1951.
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...
, 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....
from 1930 until his death.
Life
Davies was born near PwllheliPwllheli
Pwllheli is a community and the main market town of the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, north-western Wales. It has a population of 3,861, of which a large proportion, 81 per cent, are Welsh speaking. Pwllheli is the place where Plaid Cymru was founded. It is the birthplace of Albert Evans-Jones -...
, in Caernarfonshire
Caernarfonshire
Caernarfonshire , historically spelled as Caernarvonshire or Carnarvonshire in English during its existence, was one of the thirteen historic counties, a vice-county and a former administrative county of Wales....
, north Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, on 11 October 1887. He was educated in Porthmadog
Porthmadog
Porthmadog , known locally as "Port", and historically rendered into English as Portmadoc, is a small coastal town and community in the Eifionydd area of Gwynedd, in Wales. Prior to the Local Government Act 1972 it was in the administrative county of Caernarfonshire. The town lies east of...
and was a pupil-teacher in Penrhyndeudraeth
Penrhyndeudraeth
Penrhyndeudraeth is a village and community in the Welsh county of Gwynedd. It is located between Traeth Mawr , the now largely reclaimed estuary of the Afon Glaslyn, and Traeth Bach , the estuary of the Afon Dwyryd. The village is close to the mouth of the Afon Dwyryd on the A487 from...
before studying at the University College of Wales (later to become Aberystwyth University). After graduating, he taught in various locations in Wales and at the University College, Cardiff (later to become Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
). He was a member of the Royal Garrison Artillery
Royal Garrison Artillery
The Royal Garrison Artillery was an arm of the Royal Artillery that was originally tasked with manning the guns of the British Empire's forts and fortresses, including coastal artillery batteries, the heavy gun batteries attached to each infantry division, and the guns of the siege...
during the First World War and then an officer in the Army Education Service. In 1919, he was appointed first assistant librarian at 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...
in 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....
, under John Ballinger
John Ballinger
Sir John Ballinger CBE was a Welsh librarian, the first librarian at the National Library of Wales. He has been described by the current librarian at the National Library of Wales, Andrew Green, as "one of the most distinguished professional librarians of his time".-Biography:Ballinger was born in...
; he succeeded Ballinger on his retirement in 1930 and continued as chief librarian until he died on 11 November 1952. During his time as chief librarian, he worked to collect and preserve many Welsh manuscripts and materials located in private hands or other collections, and he acquired approximately 3.3 million documents (the Library had only about 200,000 documents when he was appointed chief librarian). His work for the Library and Wales were noted with the award of a knighthood in 1944 and an honorary doctorate by the University of Wales
University of Wales
The University of Wales was a confederal university founded in 1893. It had accredited institutions throughout Wales, and formerly accredited courses in Britain and abroad, with over 100,000 students, but in October 2011, after a number of scandals, it withdrew all accreditation, and it was...
in 1951. He served as High Sheriff of Merionethshire
High Sheriff of Merionethshire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Merionethshire. The historic county of Merioneth was originally created in 1284. The administrative county of Merioneth was created from the historic county under the Local Government Act 1888. This was abolished in turn under the Local Government Act 1972 on...
in 1951.