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Series Education -- Wales
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O.M. Edwards: letters to his wife Ellen Edwards

The series comprises personal letters written from Oxford, Cardiff, London and other places discussing his career and professional activities, as well as illuminating the complex relationship, full of tensions and problems, between husband and wife. The letters also refer to many members of the family and to a host of prominent contemporary figures, amongst them Sir Edward Anwyl, Thomas Edward Ellis, Sir John Morris-Jones, Sir John Rhys and Daniel Lleufer Thomas. There are many references to Llanuwchllyn and Penllyn more generally and to O. M. Edwards's wide-ranging services to Wales, including his editorship of a number of journals and his work as Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales after 1907.

Edwards, Elin, Lady, 1868-1919

General letters to O. M. Edwards

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.

Urdd y Delyn

Letters from university principals to O. M. Edwards

The series contains letters with a mixture of personal and professional news. Many of the letters refer to matters relating to the University of Wales and the individual colleges: academic matters, research, appointments and buildings. There are also numerous references to developments in secondary education in Wales and to relations between the schools and the university. Some of the letters arrange meetings with O. M. Edwards. There are a few references to contemporary political life.

Educational papers

  • P1
  • Series
  • 1891-1926 (lacking 1899-1903, 1905-1906, 1909, 1911-1912, 1919-1921)
  • Part of J. E. Powell Papers

This group reflects J. E. Powell's keen interest in educational matters and his involvement with Denbighshire County Concil and especially the Central Welsh Board and includes letters, reports, draft speeches, newspaper cuttings etc.