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Welsh librarian
Sir William Llewelyn Davies
(born
William Davies
; 11 October 1887 ? 11 November 1952) was a Welsh librarian who was chief librarian of the
National Library of Wales
,
Aberystwyth
from 1930 until his death.
[1]
Early life and education
[
edit
]
Davies was born at Plas Gwyn schoolhouse near
Pwllheli
, in
Caernarfonshire
, north
Wales
. His father was a
gamekeeper
.
[2]
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), taking honours in Welsh.
[1]
Career
[
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]
After graduating, Davies 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 his death.
During his time as chief librarian, he transformed the library with a large acquisition programme, which collected and preserved many Welsh manuscripts and materials located in private hands or other collections.
[2]
In total he acquired approximately 3.3 million documents (the library had only about 200,000 documents when he was appointed chief librarian). He started the library's academic journal and wrote its official history.
His work for the library and Wales were noted with the award of a knighthood in 1944
[2]
and an honorary doctorate by the
University of Wales
in 1951. He served as
High Sheriff of Merionethshire
in 1951.
[3]
He died at the age of 65 in Aberystwyth on 11 November 1952.
[1]
Following his death his ashes were scattered on the grounds of the library.
[2]
Personal life
[
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]
He added the surname "Llewelyn" after marrying Gwen Llewellyn in 1914.
References
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