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The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) is a national charity founded in 1928 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis under the title of The Council for the Preservation of Rural Wales. The name was changed to the Council for the Protection of Rural Wales in 1962, followed by its current title in 1991. The aim of CPRW is to protect the countryside of Wales and to encourage development that will not detract from the natural environment or cultural heritage. The organisation has established itself as a highly respected consultation body for national and local government, environmental and heritage groups and private individuals. From the main directors' office in Welshpool a liaison officer supervises the Living Wales Project which employs two officers, one in North Wales and one in mid-Wales, whose work time is shared by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority. Both the professional staff and volunteer members are employed to examine the environmental, ecological, economic and aesthetic aspects of planning applications and to undertake the necessary lobbying and campaigning. The implementation of proposals and financial matters are overseen by the Executive Committee and the Financial and General Purposes Committee. Close co-operation is maintained with bodies such as Cambrian Archaeological Association, Wales Wildlife and Countryside Link. Rural land use issues are discussed with government institutions within Britain and the European Union, the National Assembly and local authorities including National Parks. The CPRW also seeks to influence private developers and others who may threaten the qualities it seeks to protect. It provides a library service and it uses education and media publicity to inform the public of its function and activities.

The CPRW operates a scheme of Rural Wales Awards, presented to organisations or individuals who are considered to have made a substantial contribution to the preservation of the landscape and environment in Wales. There are seventeen regional branches and quarterly bulletins keep members informed of the organisation's activities. Annual study conferences have attracted distinguished naturalists and historians. The CPRW also produces annually three editions of Rural Wales Magazine which are distributed to members, politicians, local authorities, statutory and voluntary organisations and the media. Past presidents have included Lady Megan Lloyd George, 1949-1965, Wynford Vaughan Thomas, 1968-1972 and Lady (Baroness) Eirene Lloyd White, 1973-1989. Other distinguished members of CPRW committees have been Cecily Williams-Ellis, Capt. H.R.H. Vaughan and Col. Morrey Salmon.

Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) died in St Vincent's Hospital, New York, on 9 November 1953, whilst on a reading tour of America. His body was transported back to Wales by ship, accompanied by his widow Caitlin (1913-1994), and was buried in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, on 25 November. The Dylan Thomas Trust (or the Trustees for the Copyrights of Dylan Thomas) was subsequently created in order to administer the income from Thomas' estate for the benefit of the beneficiaries, namely Caitlin and the three children Llewelyn (1939-2000), Aeronwy (1943-2009) and Colm (b. 1949). The original trustees were Thomas' friend Dr Daniel Jones (1912-1993), his literary agent David Higham (1895-1978) of Pearn, Pollinger & Higham (and later David Higham Associates) and his solicitor Stuart Thomas (1914-1995) of D.O. Thomas & Co., Swansea. Daniel Jones resigned as a Trustee in January 1955 and was replaced by Wynford Vaughan-Thomas (1908-1987).

The Mostyn library at Mostyn Hall, Flintshire, held one of the foremost manuscript collections in Wales. It was founded by Sir Thomas Mostyn (d. 1618). Thomas's great-grandson Roger (1623-1690) was created a baronet in 1660 and his son Thomas (1651-1700?), second baronet, collected many of the most important books in the library. His grandson Thomas Mostyn (1704-1758), fourth baronet, also made important additions to the library at Mostyn. Over the course of time the libraries of other North Wales estates were added to that of Mostyn. The Gloddaeth estate in Caernarfonshire had belonged to the Mostyns since the fifteenth century. Sir Thomas founded a significant library there which was eventually incorporated into the Mostyn library. The fifth baronet, Sir Roger Mostyn (1734-1796), married Margaret Wynn, heiress of Bodysgallen, Caernarfonshire, which had a significant library. In 1791 she inherited the Corsygedol and Nannau estates and their libraries. The direct Mostyn line became extinct with the death of the sixth baronet in 1831, the estates passing to Sir Edward Pryce Lloyd (1768-1854), created 1st Baron Mostyn of Mostyn. The library remained intact until the twentieth century when various groups were sold off or auctioned in 1918, 1920 and 1974.