Showing 3 results

The series comprises letters written by many Oxford academics discussing a range of college and university business, including the conduct and outcome of examinations, the performance of individual students and organising courses. Some of the letters refer to O. M. Edwards's duties, his plans, applications for posts etc. There are several references to his historical researches and prospective publications. Some of the correspondents discuss Edwards's work as MP for Merionethshire in 1899-1900.

The series comprises letters, 1880-1920, addressed to O. M. Edwards, from his first arrival at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, until the time of his death. Many of the letters are from prominent Welsh public figures. The early letters relate to Edwards's career as a student at the UCW, Aberystwyth, the University of Glasgow and Balliol College, Oxford. Some concern his preaching engagements, his plans and ambitions, while others give local news from the Llanuwchllyn area. Following his appointment as Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, in 1889, many of the letters concern his academic work and university responsibilities, and there are numerous requests for references and testimonials from students and former students. Some correspondents write in relation to educational matters in Wales, notably the passage and operation of the Welsh Intermediate Education Act, 1889, and the affairs of the University of Wales. -- From the 1890s onwards many letters concern O. M. Edwards's editing of Cymru and Cymru'r Plant, and later Wales, Heddyw and Y Llenor. Intermingled with these letters are some which refer to personal events in Edwards's life: his marriage in 1891, the death of his father in 1895, and the death of the eldest son Owen ab Owen in 1897. In 1899 many letters concern the death of Thomas Edward Ellis MP, the selection of Edwards as his successor as Liberal MP for Merionethshire, and his brief sojourn in the House of Commons until July 1900. -- Throughout these years the letters abound with references to educational matters, notably within the Universities of Wales and Oxford. Others relate to Welsh literary and cultural matters, the publication of Cyfres y Fil and the organization of Urdd y Delyn. A few letters concern Edwards's researches, writings and academic publications. -- From 1907 onwards many of the letters relate to O. M. Edwards's duties as Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales. Throughout the remaining years there are numerous communications from Edwards's former students at Oxford, invitations to deliver lectures and attend various functions and events, and letters relating to the editing of journals, notably Cymru and Cymru'r Plant. Others concern literary, cultural and publishing matters, and many relate to educational themes. These are interspersed with congratulatory messages on receipt of the Medal of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion in 1915 and a knighthood in January 1916. Many of the letters from the final years refer to O. M. Edwards's personal, health and family problems.

Thirty holograph letters from Alfred B[utler] Clough [Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, 1817-1839, and rector of Braunston, co. Northampton, 1838- 1870] from Jesus College (27), from Chester (1) and from Minydon [Colwyn, co. Denbigh] (2), to the Reverend [Richard] Howard [D.D., rector of Denbigh, 1818-1843, rector of Llandegfan with Beaumaris, 1826-1843, etc.] at Beaumaris, 1832-1839 (the writer's opinion of a former student, Evan Pughe [? of Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn, co. Cardigan, vicar of Llanidloes, 1837-1850] (1832); the intention of the Conservatives at Oxford [University] to propose [Arthur Wellesley, 1st] duke of Wellington, as candidate for the chancellorship, his election to the said office unopposed, comments on his character, etc., the writer's inclination to leave Oxford, comments on the conduct and suitability for orders of W[ ] Ll[ ] Williams (1834); the winning of the English essay prize at Rugby school by Arthur [Hugh Clough, 1819-1861, the poet], visits to and the progress being made by Dick [? Richard Henry Howard, recipient's son, then a student at Oxford] who had broken his leg, visits by the patient's friends, the cost of medical attention and other expenses incurred in connection with the accident, comments on the parliamentary situation (1835); a rumour that Sir Robert [? Williames Vaughan of Nannau, 2nd bart.] intended resigning his seat as member of parliament for the county [of Merioneth] and that his son had refused the nomination, a fire at Baron Hill [co. Anglesey], a visit to town by Dick [see above] to see the University boat race (1836); attempts to find a place for Manners [? Robert Manners Howard, recipient's son, ob. 1839] at Oxford, his admission to Oriel College and news of him subsequent to his admission, the writer's activities whilst on a visit to North Wales including stays at Hengwrt and Nannau, a flattering account of Arthur [Hugh Clough] by Dr. [Thomas] Arnold [headmaster of Rugby school], comments on some of the candidates for vacancies at All Souls [College, Oxford], arrangements for appointing to the curacy of Beaumaris and comments on some possible candidates including [ ] Davies, schoolmaster at Denbigh, [the Reverend] Robert Jones who had a church at Golftyn [co. Flint], and David Roberts, nephew of [the incumbent of] Whitford, the writer's correspondence with the Welsh bishops regarding a new edition of the Welsh Folio Bible and Prayer Book and the setting up by the [Oxford] Delegates of a subcommittee to estimate the expense and to discuss arrangements, a meeting of convocation at Oxford to consider the revision of the statutes of the University, the possibility of obtaining the curacy of Gresford [co. Denbigh], vacant by the preferment of [the Reverend] Matthew Hughes to Llandyssilio [co. Denbigh], for Dick [see above] (1837)). The letters also contain throughout a considerable amount of news of the writer's social and other activities at Oxford, and news of and enquiries concerning relatives and mutual friends or acquaintances.